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Charles F. Johnson 
From a Portrait Taken at the Close of His Enlistment 



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£aA3057ST 



This is the Duluth Edition of " The Long Roll," Being 
the Civil War Experiences of Charles F. Johnson of Hawkins 
Zouaves. Of this edition Five Hundred Copies are being 
printed, by Elbert Hubbard, of The Roycrofters, East Aurora, 
New York, and of this edition this Volume is Number ;- / >.^ 



To the soldier's 
grandson 

George Robert ^tlton 

This book 

is 
dedicated 





• -' A 

" TnlljolirN I'icl 
( iiiiiirtii ill Diivtil h.rii-.^iH 



ATTENTION ! 

Ackn()\vk'(l<;iiH>iit is lu'reby gi\'en to 
Dulutli. for inakinti' this xolume Ji real 
memory of a man; to l)a\i(l Erieson. for 
a pati'e from liis sciajjhook of sketches; 
to Fredrick IJ. Johnson, for liis desi<!;n 
for tlie title-page of his father's story ; 
and to Sergeant J. H. E. Whitney of 
the Ninth New York Volunteers, from 
whose book entitled, "The Hawkins 
Zouaves," has been taken material for 
foot-notes eoneerning the tiames of 
places and men. 

And friends, both old and new, with 
interest in this old-new story, listen for 
the sound of the Bugle Call *' To Arms ! '* 
and as, perchance, this interest may be 
(|ueslioned, take heed now, for as from 
the soldier himself comesjhe Countersign 

" Thanks Be To You ! '" 





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CouTtesv of David Ericson 



The Long Roll 

Being a Journal of the Civil 
War, as set dowTi during the 
years 1861-1863 by Charles 
F. Johnson, sometime of 
Hawkins Zouaves. Illustratea 
xvith many Sketches ^ Photographs 

Bulutf) €bttion 




T)one into Print nnd Round into a Book by 
The RoyoroftiTs at their Shop, which is in 
East Aurora, Erie County, State of New York 
M C M X I 



'd (06 



Cop7right, 1911 
B/ Mary S. Johnsou 



CONTENTS 



CBAFTIB VAOa 

Foreword -... 5 

I Castle Garden and Riker's Island - - - 9 

II En Route 15 

III Newport News- ---- 18 

IV The Fight at Bethel 22 

V An Interpolation 35 

VI Hatteras ------------- 44 

VII Roanoke Island 88 

VIII The Burning of Winton 102 

IX Camp Reno - 108 

X The Battle of Camden - - - 116 

XI The Furlough ----- 139 

XII Sketches -- 150 

XIII Marching Orders 160 

XIV With the Ninth Corps-d'Armie 166 

XV The Battle of South Mountain - - - - 180 

XVI The Battle of Antietam - - 188 

XVII Frederick City Hospital ------- 203 

XVIII Newport News Again 210 

XIX Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar A. Kimball - - 226 

XX Fort Nansemond 230 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

^ Plate i — Charles F. Johnson 
■* Plate ii — Johnson, the Zouave 
/ Plate hi — Frigate " Minnesota " — Casemated Gun 
/Plate iv — Sawyer Gun — the " Enterprise " 
/Plate v — Map of Newport News 
y Plate vi — The Dismal Swamp 

V Plate vii — " Neptune's Car " — Company I Quarters 
/Plate viii — At Camp Wool 

/Plate ix — Forts llatteras and Clark 

/Plate x — Rebel Tug Attacking the " Savannah " 

V Plate xi — Old French Cannon — Dismantled Gun 
/Plate xii — The Hut Picket 

/Plate xiii — Windmill Picket 

/Plate xiv — A Hatteras Landscape — Church Picket 

I Pl.\te XV — Camp Wool, from Windmill Picket 

V Plate xvi — Breastworks and Picket at Trent 

t' Plate xvii — Moonlight Scene at Trent — Duncan Creek 

•^Plate xviii — Sundown at Hatteras 

•^LATE XIX — Burnside's Fleet — Bombardment of Roanoke Island 

^'Plate XX — Bivouac of Burnside's Army — Jarvis Farm Hospital 

* Plate xxi — Roanoke Island Battleground — Fort Defiance 

^ Plate xxii — Lieutenant-Colonel Victor De Monteuil 

■• Plate xxiii — Fort Barton and Rebel Tug " Sea Bird " 

"Plate xxiv — The '* Ellis " — Chowan River 
"^ Plate xxv — Camp Reno 
•^Plate XXVI — Charge of Hawkins Zouaves 

>'' Plate xxvii— Colonel Hawkins — Captain Leahy — "Private" Johnson — "Civil- 
ian" Johnson 
'^Plate xxviii— Three-Gun Battery 
'^ Plate xxix — Burning of Winton — Earthworks • 
'^ Plate xxx — Forts Hawkins and Reno 
"Plate xxxi — Fort Blanchard — the " Cumberland " 

^late xxxii — Currituck Scenery 
^ Plate xxxiii — Camp Parke — on the Rappahannock 
V. Plate xxxiv — Fortress Monroe — Frederick City 
^ Plate xxxv — South Mountain — x\ntietam Bridge 

VPlate XXXVI— Church Hospital at Frederick City 
^ Plate xxxvii — Miller's Farm Hospital — on the Potomac 
^Plate xxxviri — Sergeant James D. Loades 
' Plate xxxix — Chessmen and Bullets 
\ Plate xl — Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar A. Kimball 
■\ Plate xlx — Fort Nansemond — " Going Home " 



FOREWORD 

IT may be well to explain somewhat of the manner in which 
I commenced to read, which involves the result of my 

experience in the country district schools of the Province 
of Smaland. 

" 'Luther's Little Catechism' is the First Reader of the 
Swedish child, with this difference, that it must be committed 
to memory ; for as soon as the luckless wight has worried 
through the Primer, the Smaller and Larger Catechism are 
put into his hands to be so committed as fast as the mind can 
be made to bear the strain ; and woe betide the unlucky 
'lummox' who, on the dread examination-day at the close 
of every term, fails with the ready answer to any one of the 
prescribed questions from any quarter of this tear-stained 
book. 

"After thisCatechismal purgatory comes the New Testament, 
which may rank as Fourth Reader in an American Free School ; 
then the Old Testament, as the Fifth or Reader par excellence. 
The Bible is not actually committed to memory, but it is 
abl)roviated into a sort of a synopsis called Biblical History, 
wliich is actually beaten into the head of the child for recitation. 
With this is blended a course of Arithmetic extending into the 
principles of Division in simple numbers and a series of chiro- 
grai)hical maneuvers, greatly assisted by the lively accompani- 
ment of flexible rattans over the paper ; which rattans at times, 
guided by the unsteady hand of the master, fall upon the 
knuckles of the child, causing such nervousness that it often 
becomes quite impossible to write at all. 

" This is the actual extent of the education of the Swedish 
' Bonde ' * boy or girl ; and without even the vaguest notions 
of Geography, of History or of Literature except such as were 
contained in the books I have mentioned, he or she is pushed 
out upon the world to serve as food for the mirth and wonder 
of the educated da.sscs everywhere; mirth caused by their 
uncouth appearance and the extreme simplicity of their ways, 
and wonder at the fact, which is a source of surprise to many, 

* "Bonde" means Land-Owning Fanner. 



FOREWORD 

that a people giving such signs of ignorance should one and all 
be able to read and write so well, and who, differing so materi- 
ally in every particular, should, in so short a time and in so 
many instances, fall undetected into the American ranks. 

*' It will thus be readily understood, nor seem strange, that 
I, when but six years of age, had been made to read the New 
Testament three times through. This I can well remember 
was something to boast of at the time, but if I had then been 
thrown out of the reach of said Testament, I should now be 
able to remember of it never a word, but I presume it must 
have made some impression upon my infant mind at the time, 
and I feel kindly disposed to give all things their due. 

" I was born in Gisnabo in the Province of Smaland, Sweden, 
April 18th, 1843. We went to the United States in 1853. On the 
way, in Gotheberg, my Mother died. Arrived in Chicago, 
Illinois, in 1854, where I served in an American family, learning 
the language ; during that Winter I attended a city school for 
four months. Went to Minnesota with my Father the following 
Spring, arriving in St. Paul, May 4th, 1855. I apprenticed 
myself to a bookbinder, with whom I remained off and on until 
the Fall of 1860. I went to New York and while there the war 
broke out, and I enlisted in the ' Hawkins Zouaves,' with whom 
I served their term of two years." 

Thus far is quoted directly from an Introduction to a 
manuscript entitled " My Own Bibliography," written in 
1870, and forming in itself a prelude to the story to follow 
far better than any one else could write. 

The brief sentences of biography, if enlarged upon, would 
show a book-hunger in those early years scarcely to be under- 
stood, much less appreciated, by the youth of to-day, who throw 
away more reading matter than this boy ever dared to dream 
of possessing. In later years, when his library represented a life- 
time of study, hope, work, sacrifice and the sheer joy of the 
learning, he often talked of his boyhood, when every scrap of 
printed matter was saved, studied and pondered over; a 
process that unconsciously became a habit and trained the 
mind, making of it, as the boy grew to manhood, a well-filled 
6 



FOREWORD 

room from which came solace and contentment even unto 
the Valley of the Shadow. 

War-time, and books were more than scarce; paper and 
pencils, oddities ; even the Newspapers were but Hsts of the 
wounded and unaccounted for. But time, dulled with the 
monotony of camp life, had to be filled, and the boy saved any 
paper he could find to make his Journal notes and sketches, 
binding them into pamphlets, with Newspapers for covers. 
And he wrote his hopes, his plans, his ideas — descriptions, 
anything to occupy the leisure that camp routine gives to one, 
broken by the awful intensity that battle means, giving a 
contrjvst in these pages as the sunshine of life beside the shadow 
of death. 

And now is offered to the world this sample page of the 
life of one whose simple tastes led him always to seek the less 
conspicuous place ; but his record as a soldier and a man gives 
him his promotion, and he rises from the ranks, by faithful 
response to ** The Long Roll," to find his place among those 
who really live, and by their example unconsciously give hope 
and faith to others. E. L. J. H. 




THE LONG ROLL 

CHAPTER I 

Castle Garden and Riker's Island 

Castle Garden, X. V. 
May 12th, 1861. 

IT is now about two weeks since I joined this, the First 
Regiment of New York Zouaves,* and I get along remarkably 

well considering that I never played soldier before. We 
are at present quartered in Castle Garden, but barracks are 
being built for us on Riker's Island, some ten miles up the 
East River, where the Colonel says we are going to-morrow, 
but *' to-morrow " probably means Tuesday. 

Yesterday, at drill, the boys of our Company took it into 
tiu'ir heads to see how long they could go the " Double-quick." 
Wiien al)out half of them had exhausted their strength and 
fallen out, some one stepped on my foot, wrenching it so that 
I also was obliged to give up the contest, and I was glad to lie 
down on the grass in a pleasant spot in the Garden. The rest of 
the boys immediately after left the parade and broke ranks in the 
Castle. Having recovered my breath, I went to the gate for 
oranges and apples, but when about to pay for them, I wjis 
surprised by some one I had not noticed, saying, " I will pay 
for them, please." When I saw it was a lady and a handsome 
one, I could not refuse. 

I am doing guard duty to-day. It docs not seem a very 
hard thing to do, for one is on post only two hours out of six. 

Two foreign war-ships are in the harbor, a Brazilian school- 
ship and a Spanish frigate, which latter arrived this morning, 
and cast anchor not more than a quarter of a mile from Castle 
\\'illi;nn. At twehe, she saluted our flag with twenty guns. 
The " Great Eastern " came in a short time after. She is as 
large as she is represented to be in the many cuts in the illus- 

• So styled at the time of enlistment; afterwards, the "Ninth New York Volun- 
teers." one of the four Zouave Regiments from the State. 

9 



THE LONG ROLL 

trated papers I have seen. Some of our fellows call her the 
big " Blunderbuss," and she is unquestionably a big thing. 

Rikers Island, May 17th. 
Evacuated the old Castle day before yesterday, embarking 
on a barge towed by an old steamer, the " Young America," 
and about ten o'clock took possession of this Island. It is 
quite a pretty place inhabited by one family. There is a growth 
of apple-trees now in full bloom, around the rather time-worn 
house. I believe this is to serve as the Colonel's quarters. 

May 21st. 

Received a full-dress uniform last Sunday morning, which 
is certainly very pretty, if not fine ; of a deep blue cloth with 
scarlet sash, fez and trimmings. It presents a lively appearance 
in line. This makes us two complete suits, the other a blue 
sort of flannel Fatigue, very comfortable in warm weather. 

Some little excitement last Saturday evening ; the question 
of enlistment for " three years or the war " was being discussed 
as I came into quarters from a game of ball on the parade- 
ground. I came in while the excitement was at its height; 
the Captain of our Company was carried on the shoulders; 
of his men to the Colonel's quarters, where that gentleman 
was speaking, and great enthusiasm prevailed generally. 

May 26th. 

Received a letter from my sister last Wednesday, reminding 
me that I had not been at home since I joined the Regiment ; 
but how to succeed in getting a pass was the question, for 
hundreds are clamoring for passes every day. I hit upon the 
plan of volunteering for extra guard duty, which entitles one 
to some favors. So Thursday night I went on guard and also 
served as extra police, who are required more or less owing to 
the stratagems nightly practised by the officers to enforce the 
strictest discipline among the men, and a troublesome night I 
had of it. 

Lieutenant Leahy was Captain of the guard, and the extra 
police were called often from one post to another, not only on 
10 



THE LONG ROLL 

account of the practise of discipline which we are now under- 
going, but more owing to the constant efforts of some of the 
men to leave camp without passes. A strict watch is needed 
around our quarters, and that night we were more than once 
required at some post where some one either had succeeded 
in getting away or had been caught in trying to do so; to 
search for or to bring the prisoner to the guard-house, as the 
case might be. At about two o'clock a call was passed through 
the chain of posts from No. 11, whither the Captain and two 
of us repaired in hot haste. The sentinel reported some one 
having attempted to pass his post, and get into camp without 
the countersign, but being stopped, had escaped into the field. 
Tliis field we scoured, but to no purpose, and we returned to 
the guard-house. Hardly were we there, however, before we 
were callcil to the same post again. Leahy now told my com- 
panion to follow him, and for me to take the other direction 
around the barracks to head him off in case he should be able 
to nu\ke his escape that way. Making all possible haste, I got 
to No. 11 just in time to see Lieutenant Leahy struggling with 
some one who had evidently thrown a blanket over his head. 
He succeeded in extricating himself, however, and ordered us 
to ciiarge bayonets. We obeyed as far as to place our bayonets 
against his breast, demanding the countersign, and I now saw 
it was Lieutenant Flemming of our Company. Without com- 
plying, he succeeded in getting my comrade's bayonet in his 
hand and wrenching it from the gun, but I as soon, with a 
,coupl<' of passes, knocked it out of his hand. I put my foot 
^on it, and thoughtlessly enough stooped to pick it u]). He 
sei7,e<l my head in an instant, but I recovered myself with a 
desperate effort and gave him a slight scratch with my bayonet 
above tlie ear. Leahy repeated his orders to " Charge," '* Run 
him through," etc., and my comrade, having recovered his 
bayonet, we forced him against the barrack-wall, where he 
surrendered, also giving the countersign, " Washington." 

1 have been thus particular in writing this trivial adventure, 
for it was the first time I came in contact with Leahy and 
Flemming, the two friends from first to last, and whose later 

11 



THE LONG ROLL 

adventures, taken together, would make more than one yarn 
for a Charles Lever, and good long ones at that. 

May 27th. 

And so I succeeded in getting a pass last Friday evening. 
Waited so long for a steamboat that most of our boys had hired 
small boats and were rowed over to the nearest point home, 
while I was compelled to wait. Cause— I had no " rhino," 
but when I saw Sergeant Jackson and Corporal Davis prepare 
to go in the same way, Bell (who was in my fix) and I jumped in 
regardless of consequences. Private Brown paid our way, and 
we reached Fort Harris by dusk, cut over to Harlem on a 
Double-quick, and took the cars down town. I left my friends 
^u ?°n H""^^^<^ ^"d Eighth Street, skipped upstairs, and in 
the hall met a number of the lady boarders, whose exclamations 
of surprise were agreeable enough. 

These ladies wished to do me some service, and set to work 
on a soldier's Companion, which they filled with everything 
conceivable, things of use and things of no use, I should think, 
for I have as yet, of course, had no occasion to test their value, 
though I was, as on duty bound, most thankful. While the 
ladies were thus agreeably at work, a male friend insisted on 
shaving my head in the Zouave fashion, and he succeeded U 
my utter dismay and astonishment. The operation was cer- 
tainly not as painful as the famous " love-o'-God " shave, buv 
It must have been less skilfully performed, for nothing eve^ 
cropped could have presented an appearance anything like mv', 
head, unless perhaps a rich meadow mown by some obstinat.-' 
novice, whose dull scythe he had not sense enough to sharpen. 
And the mortification had to be borne, for as I have intimated 
betore, I was at the time entirely without money, or the first 
barber-shop would have repaired the injury. (Ah, Harry, I 
could lorgive you this, did I not know thy soul cramped smaller, 
than the quarter that would have taken me to that barber and 
repaired this injury.) 

Saturday morning it rained and I spent my time very much 
to my hking, in spite of my ridiculous head, in the company 



THE LONG ROLL 

of the ladies, the kind contributors of soap, towels, pins, 
needles, thread, pens, pencils, paper, envelopes, etc., etc., etc. 
I met a Major Walton in the smoking-room, a diminutive 
individual about four feet high, and forty years of age, I should 
judge by tlie old, wrinkled face. A Mr. Hunter introduced me 
witli due ceremony, but I regretted not being able to stay and 
cultivate his acquaintance, and was soon on the Hoboken Ferry 
on my way to my home in Hudson City. 

May 31st. 

We have now received our full complement of arms and 
accoiitrciiKMits, muskets, knapsacks, haversacks and canteens, 
everything satisfactory enough except the muskets, which seem 
to be old-rasliiouoil, altered flintlocks, instead of the rifles 
wliicli were promised us. This notable difference was the cause 
of considerable excitement at first ; in fact, our Company 
grounded arms once, amidst the most deafening cheers from 
the other Companies. The Captain looked serious and com- 
manded " Kaise Arms." There was a pause, and things looked 
like a c-risis. Fortunately, tiie Captain had too nuich sense 
or experience (he looks every inch a soldier) to put on too much 
n<>\v-fic(lgc(l authority ; so lie said, " Do it for my sake, lioys," 
and I, willing to give the start, or acting from impulse, sung out, 
" Do it for the Captain," which was immediately echoed by 
aost of them, and all, more or less reluctantly, raised their 
lieces and marched into their quarters ; and so this excitement 
jeased. liul to-day we have had another — and that an election, 
nothing nujre nor less. 

It seems this Company had a First Lieutenant named Buck 
^•ho had been transferred to another Regiment, and this caused 
p. vacancy which was filled by the Colonel's appointment of a 
j Ir. Hussdl, subject to the approval of the Comjiany. I did 
^lot favor Mr. Russell myself, thinking that Flcnmiing ought to 
(ill the vacancy and Sergeant Jackson be made Second Lieu- 
tenant. Mr. Russell was elected, however, and it may be best 
for the Company. One consolation is that, if Jackson is not 
promoted, as I think he ought to be, we thereby escape the 

13 



THE LONG ROLL 

tyranny of a certain Sergeant P , next in rank, a bully 

certainly and more cowardly than brave, if I mistake not. 
During the contest, I divined some ambition for preferment 
in the mind of this Sergeant, and made public what must have 
been his secret thoughts in a manner calculated to draw on 
me his ill-will, if not hatred. Later, when it was growing dusk 
and I did not notice that I was alone in a corner of the barracks, 
I saw him come at me with a drawn sheath-knife. It did not 
startle me as much as it might have done, however, under the 
circumstances; indeed, I felt no cause for alarm, but seized 
a broomstick that happened to be at hand, and made so lively 
a pass at him, that he at once put up the knife, and feigned 
play. He tried to smooth it over, but I am not likely to forget it. 
It is now almost certain that we go South next Monday. 
Our destination seems to be Fortress Monroe, Virginia. 

Sunday, June 2d. 

We had orders to march, or rather to embark, to-day, but 
we will not get away until to-morrow. At any rate, this is the 
last Sunday we will be in this Northern latitude for some time. 

I did not want to be put on guard to-day, and to avoid it 
I volunteered for guard duty yesterday. Meanwhile, General 
Dix was up here and reviewed the Regiment and promised u^ 
a speedy exchange of these old muskets for rifles. The review 
has occasioned, of course, a puff in the " Herald." 

Last night between twelve and one, while I was on post', 
the camp was aroused by a couple of pistol-shots or something* 
of the kind from the guard. The " Long Roll " beat " To- 
Arms," and for two or three minutes the barracks seemed like: 
a hive of bees about to swarm. The confusion then gave way 
to the sharp orders of the officers, then to the solid tramp ol 
men, and in six or seven minutes, the Regiment was in linr 
with a couple of Companies thrown out in different directions! 
to find the enemy. These returning with the report that no 
enemy could be found, the BattaUon was dismissed, with thanks 
for its promptness. 

14 



i!l 



CHAPTER II 

En Route 

On board Steamer ** Marion" on the Atlantic. 

June 6th, 1861. 

Took our final leave of Riker's Island yesterday (Wednes- 
day) morning, and are now en route for the seat of war. The 
steam-tug '* Saturn " and another, the name of which I do not 
know, conveyed the Regiment from the Island to the foot of 
Thirtieth Street, East River, where we formed, proceeding up 
Thirty-fourth Street to Fifth Avenue, and down that Avenue 
to the residence of Mrs. A. W. Griswold. From her, with most 
appropriate ceremonies, we received a very handsome National 
flag. We then went to the home of Mrs. W. D. Moflfatt, where 
a Regimental flag awaited us. This last was in design extremely 
simple, though of material as fine as the other, of red silk upon 
which was inscribed : — 

" Ninth Regiment New York Volunteers " 
" Toujours Pret " 

The motto, '* Always Ready," seems appropriate to the 
kind of warfare for which a Zouave Regiment is intended. 
From Mrs. Moffatt's we marched down the Avenue into Broad- 
way to Pier Four, North River, amidst dense crowds of people 
and conscious that we created favorable comment from all — 
if not for soldierly appearance, at least for a smart look and 
proficiency in drill. But for encomium on our appearance 
and march, with all the minute particulars of the incidents 
attached thereto, into which I care not to enter, the " Herald " 
of this date is referred to as furnishing an account both flaming 
and sufficiently explicit. One thing I must say, however, in 
justice to our Company, which I have been in the habit of 
running down as the worst in discipline and the least proficient 
in drill of any in the Regiment, that no Company in this Regi- 
ment marched better, conducted itself in a more soldierly 
manner or gaine<l more applause from the reviewing crowds, 
than ours, this same despised Company I, which was made up, 

15 



THE LONG ROLL 

it is said, of what was left out of the others. This is true enough, 
except in regard to Company K. Still, this Company, though 
the last, which usually contains the scum, so to speak, of a 
Regiment, seems to haveformed itself with some motiveof mutual 
attraction influencing it, thus leaving our Company the mongrel 
of the Regiment. 

Reaching the pier where the " Marion " lay waiting to 
receive us, the gates were closed on us before we broke ranks, 
and we were guarded on one side by our soldiers and on the 
other by the police, in anticipation of the rush that would be 
made for one more moment of liberty. Friends and dearer ones 
crowding around the gates for a last word or a glimpse even of 
some one beloved, would have entered by force, so great seemed 
the pressure, but this only compelled a half a score or more 
policemen to exercise (more gently than usual, I think) their 
necessary duty. It was only after the " Marion " had run out 
from the pier and dropped anchor in the bay, that I heard of 
a gentleman and two ladies who had been anxiously looking 
for me, but who had been prevented even from seeing me 
through the gate. One of the ladies was probably my sister.* 
They were undoubtedly crowded out by others more clamoroust 
than they, or by the stern orders of the police. i 

The steamer first cast anchor between Bedloe's Island ands 
Castle William, where the Colonel, finding the " Marion " too7 
small for our accommodation, left us to secure another boat 
for our transportation, and also, I suspect, to scare up a number* 
of absentees who had not yet been able to " tear themselves|! 
away." Here we passed the night as best we could. I slept" 
on a pile of anchor-chains in the bow. Here, too, transpired' 
the first casualty to the Regiment. George Warren of our 
Company fell overboard and was drowned. " Tobe," for sol 
he was commonly called, was a splendid fellow. He was myj 
file-leader during our farewell march through the city, and it] 
seemed that while I was without a single face in the vast crowds I 
to recognize me, we could not go a block without some one i 
calling to him by a familiar name. But these very friends with j 
their signs of regard, of which I (I almost blush to say) had 
16 



-J^^ ,^- 

'''^^^: 



> 




> 



Frigate " Minnesota," riagsliip .\,)itli Atlantic- Squ;ulr»in 



A 




Casematt'd Clun at Kip Itaps 





Sawyer Gun at Newport News 




The Schooner " Enterprise " 



PLATE IV 



THE LONG ROLL 

none, were probably the cause of his much regretted and 
untimely end. 

It is not with the least degree of satisfaction that I cast 
these reflections on " Tobe " Warren's end, for of envy I am 
certainly at this time innocent. But his many friends hailing 
him from every corner made my feeling of utter loneliness the 
more intense by contrast, and his tragic death these same 
friends unwittingly caused, God knows, could not but call up 
strange reflections, the tendency of which must be obvious 
to every one. 

This morning, the Sixth, we weighed anchor and moved 
slowly down the stream, but anchored again oflF Staten Island, 
where we lay for a time waiting for the additional trans- 
portation. The " George Peabody " finally arrived and relieved 
the ** Marion " of al)out four hundred men, and we then weighed 
anchor and steamed out of the harbor for good. We are now 
plowing the Atlantic, the " Peabody " keeping continually in 
sight and sometimes within hailing distance on our coast side. 




17 



CHAPTER III 

Newport News 

Camp Butler, Newport News, Va. 
June 8th, 1861. 

WE are at last in the enemy's country. I can hardly 
realize it as yet, for Camp Hawkins on Riker's Island 
seemed to breathe more war than this, but we are told 
that the enemy prowls about at night in yonder woods picking 
off our pickets, so I dare say I shall realize the fact soon enough. 

We arrived at Fortress Monroe about eight o'clock yesterday 
morning, passing a thirty-two-gun frigate, the " Cumberland," 
as we came in, the crew manning the yards and rigging and 
cheering right gallantly. Anchoring off the Fortress, Colonel 
Hawkins went ashore to report to General Butler for orders. 
They were, to proceed to this post, and we at once steamed up 
the James. Some batteries of the Secessionists were pointed out 
to us on the other side of the river, and it seemed to me that we 
went out of our course to see them or for them to see us. How- 
ever, we were not disturbed and in about an hour were disem- 
barking at Newport News. There we found a Regiment of 
Vfrmonters, the Seventh New York (Germans), and the Scott 
Life Guard entrenched behind an earthwork a mile or so in 
extent covering the wharves and buildings, and facing or com- 
manding an open piece of country about a mile in width, skirted 
by a line of woods running parallel with the James River. 

The camping-ground first assigned to us directly in front 
of the works, and between these and the woods above men- 
tioned, seemed a very disadvantageous one, and was given us 
by some officer of the day in the absence of the General Com- 
manding. But that gentleman, General Phelps, has assigned 
us a pleasanter and a better location to which our camp was 
moved to-day, a position North of the breastworks, with the 
rear against the James. 

The cut accompanying this has been reduced from one in 
the " Herald " published some time later, or just as we were 
18 



THE LONG ROLL 

anticipating an attack. It is interesting because it caused no 
little indignation at the time, as being calculated to furnish 
valuable information to the enemy relative to pickets and 
outposts, with which the artist seems to have been designedly 
particular. 

Sunday, June 7th. 

Have just come otf picket and am happy to state that the 
difficulty of being able to realize that we are in an enemy's 
<"ountry is fast wearing away. The first night here (Friday) 
I was on guard and slept but little, and the next day (yesterday) 
with the moving of camp there could of course be but little rest, 
and last night, volunteers were called to form a picket com- 
manding an important road Northwest of the works. I volun- 
teered, wishing to participate in the first real soldiering, and 
my wish was gratified. I think now that I shall be satisfied 
to let my time come for duty, for it does seem as if the more 
a man is willing to do the more is put upon him. 

Our pickets were eslal)lished along the line of a fence across 
the open space between the James and the woods, then following 
a road into these woods to the first cross-road where our advance 
picket was placed. It so hapf)ened that I was posted next to 
this advance picket, though the darkness was too intense to 
♦•liable me to see him. 

All was quiet until about eleven o'clock, I should think, 
when my companion hailed me in a whisper and informed me 
that he heard voices in the woods, and immediately disappeared 
in the darkness. I myself could hear nothing, and was getting 
iischI to the stillness again, when he challenged and fired. This, 
of course, being the signal, we rallied on the main guard, and 
while the " Ivong Roll " beat in camp, our hearts beat high, 
«'xpe<;ting an enemy, which, however, tiid not appear. Another 
relief was sent out and posted, while we were drawn up in line 
ready for any business at hand. This fresh relief had not been 
;on their posts more than a few minutes before we all heard 
idistinctly commands of " File Right and Ix.»ft " issuing from 
the W(x>cLs. Our sentinel's challenge followed immediately, 

19 



THE LONG ROLL 

one or more shots were fired and the pickets came in on us 
pell-mell. 

The oflScer of the guard (Lieutenant Leahy, I think) now 
called upon the sentinel who had fired, to report. He said that 
as soon as he had been on his post a short time, he could hear 
not only voices, as we did, but the tramping of feet, and only 
when he saw a figure approach him, he challenged, and not being 
answered, he fired. He waited for some effect of the shot and 
heard curses from some one for not doing so and so. By this 
time two Companies arrived from the Regiment, scouts were 
sent out to reconnoiter, but as nothing could be found, seen 
or heard, they soon came back and returned to camp. After 
this our fellows became so possessed by excitement that it 
seemed as if every rustling leaf provoked a challenge and a 
shot ; so that in an hour's time over a dozen shots were fired, 
I really believe, at nothing ; for, with the one exception, I had 
certainly seen or heard nothing to fire at. And this voice giving 
the command that we heard, may have proceeded from some 
party of our own, some neighboring picket perhaps, or party 
returning from forage. If this was the case, it seems strange 
that they could not answer when challenged, and prevent alarm 
to the camp, if nothing more. I am, more by this fact than 
anything else, forced to the opinion that it was some small 
detachment of the enemy that thus stumbled onto us unawares, 
and were very glad to beat a hasty retreat. 

This first night's picket service was never afterwards 
referred to without provoking the ruling opinion that the voices j 
we heard were imaginary and the men we saw were stumps, j 
and I gradually fell into the same belief. 

Owing to the hubbub, the men were all kept awake tiU two 
o'clock, when it was time for me to go on again and the rest 
went to sleep, officers and all, and slept so soundly, too, that 
it was an impossibility to waken any of them ; consequently, | 
I was kept on the whole night without one wink of sleep. But 
when I was released at daybreak, I made up for lost time, and j 
did not awaken before midday and after the old guard had been 
relieved. The officer of the new guard told me he had beeii ' 
20 



THE LONG ROLL 

given instructions to let me sleep it out, after trying in vain to 
waken me, as I had been accidentally kept on post all night. 
I have been thus particular in noting down the incidents of 
my first actual service, thinking that, if Fate spares me, it may 
be pleasant to remember in after years. 



21 



CHAPTER IV 

The Fight at Bethel 

Tuesday, June 11th. 

YESTERDAY a battle was fought between our forces and 
General McGruder's, at Little Bethel, some eight or nine 
miles from here in the direction of Yorktown, of which 
this Bethel seems to be a fortified outpost. 

Our forces were repulsed with considerable loss, which is 
most severely felt in the death of the gallant Greble, a regular 
army Lieutenant who superintended the construction of our 
works here and seemed to have possessed to a notable degree 
the two qualities most needed at this time, namely, military 
skill and presence of mind in face of the enemy. 

Our Regiment did not participate in the action, though 
three Companies (A, B and G), engaged in bringing up supplies, 
had reached the scene of action in plain sight of the fortifi- 
cations, when they were ordered to cover the rear of our retiring 
forces. About noon, the balance of the Regiment received 
orders to march in all haste to their re-enforcement, and we 
started on Double-quick time, which we were soon glad to 
exchange for the ordinary step, for the day was very warm 
and sultry. 

This seemed a genuine taste of war, for we had heard can- 
nonading in this direction during the morning, and the extra 
supply of cartridges distributed indicated that something more 
than play was looked for. But after a march of some three 
miles, our advance met the forces from the post in full retreat, 
and all we now could do was to fall in with our other Companies 
in their rear, for all was over. 

We stopped to refresh ourselves at a farmhouse, where the 
body of the lamented Greble passed us on an artillery-wagon, 
and here our men seemed to take a morbid pleasure in 
acquainting themselves with the details of the fight. 

The expedition, it seems, was planned by General Butler, 
and its execution entrusted to General Pierce, and it was the 
intention to surprise the enemy; but this part of the plan 
22 



THE LONG ROLL 

was frustrated through a misunderstanding of the countersign 
between the German Seventh from this post and Colonel 
Townsend's Regiment from Hampton, which proved as dis- 
astrous as it was aggravating. The Regiments met during the 
night at tiie rendezvous; hut, either on account of having 
different countersigns or not understanding them to he the 
same, actually fired into each other, thus giving the enemy 
am[)le cause for alarm and time for preparation. Nevertheless, 
the attack was made at daybreak, and though our forces are 
said not to have wanted bravery, the fortifications were 
defended .so well that nothing could be accomplished. Duryea's 
Zouaves, the Fifth New York, from all accounts fought well, 
even desperately, making three or four charges, and at one time 
actually had possession of a portion of the works, which they 
undoubtedly would have carried had they been properly sup- 
ported. I heard an account of one of these Zouaves, who 
jumped inside the breastworks, capturing a musket, with which 
he succeeded in getting back unharmed, but a comrade who 
followed, was instantly shot down. Numerous instances are 
related of individual bravery, but the fact can not be concealed 
that our forces were entirely defeated, that our first battle is a 
decided repulse of the Union arms. 

And another fact can not be concealed, and that is that the 
troojjs from this post are certainly lacking in discipline, if not 
in valor, for on our return march there was not the least attempt 
at order among them, and had the enemy pursued us, our Regi- 
ment would have been the only one in condition to oppose them. 
The rest — \erinonters, Massachusetts men and Germans — 
presented nothing but an indiscriminate horde of stragglers. 
This fact seemed to worry our Major Kimball most, who being 
the only one with any military experience among us seemed 
to tiiink we might be pursued ; and no one felt worse than he 
at this contemj)tible affair, and no one regretted more being 
cheated out of a fight. 

Wednesday, June 12th. 

With a .scouting party under Lieutenant Leahy of Company 
!1, when not far from camj) we espied a boat with two persons 

23 



THE LONG ROLL 

in it coming down the James. The Lieutenant fired a pistol- 
shot over them, which brought them to — a negro and his wife 
escaping from the Secessionists. The negro showed us the marks 
of a pistol-ball on his back that he had received from a former 
master from whom he had tried to run away. He was sent to 
camp under guard, with instructions to report to General 
Phelps. Farther on we met one of our boys returning to camp 
with a mule. We wanted it for foraging purposes, but the 
fellow refused, and said it was his, for he had bought it. How 
much had he paid.?^ "Fifty cents." He was finally induced 
to part with it, and farther on we got a cart. We returned to 
camp that night with a cart-load of slaughtered sheep, of which 
our Company got one, and our men a good share. 

Sunday, June 16th. 
Service by the Chaplain, the Reverend Mr. Conway, from 
the piazza of a house a short distance from camp, the Regiment 
disposed comfortably in the shade of the orchard. 

Tuesday, June 18th. 
Am not doing duty to-day. Am both bilious and feverish, 
feel cold and hot by turns, with other strange sensations, the 
result of not having our food properly cooked- and from sleeping 
on the damp ground. 

Saturday, June 22d. 
I have reported myself well to-day, although I do not feel 
strong enough to do much. I have had chills and fever, or the 
ague, and have actually eaten nothing for the last three or four 
days, and I do not remember anything much that has trans- 
pired during that time, except that Beith would occasionally 
put blankets over me when I was shaking. 

Sunday, June 23d. 
Turned out with the Regiment for the first time since I 
was taken sick, and attended service at the same place as last 
Sunday. 
24 



THE LONG ROLL 

Wednesday, June 26th. 

Our Company was one of five of our Regiment under Cap- 
tain Jardine sent out by orders of General Butler, last Monday, 
to reconnoiter the vicinity of Bethel. Encamped during the 
night some six miles from here in an orchard. Resumed our 
advance the next morning, joined hy three Companies from 
other Regiments of this post. Chased one of the enemy's 
troopers across a field and drove in one or two pickets from 
their outposts, and while our advance was in hearing of their 
drums beating the Long Roll, we lay some fifteen minutes 
waiting for their movements. Our orders were positive not 
to bring on an engagement, so we turned back. This is the 
farthest advance yet made, I am told, by any of our forces 
since the fight on the Tenth instant. 

There was considerable plundering on our return march, 
and for the first time have I witnessed the pure wantonness 
of destruction. In one instance, a carpenter-shop, just because 
it was full of shavings, I believe, was set on fire, and everything 
that could not be appropriated was destroyed. Somewhat 
sickened at this heartless propensity, of which I could never 
be guilty, I ol)tained permission for my chum (Thain*) and 
myself to go on aiiead, which we were glad to do. We enter- 
tained ourselves here and there with the hoecake and the con- 
versation of the slaves, who are now the only inhabitants of 
these plundered homes in this region of the Old Dominion. 
Thus we strayed on quite a distance in advance of our force 
and concluded to stop at a farmhouse and wait for our comrades 
to come up. While here, we saw two horsemen dressed in light 
Summer suits come out from a piece of timber toward the farm, 
and the old negress with whom we were talking saw them, too, 
and became greatly alarmed for our safety. We were both 
sliglitly built and young-looking, and she probably thought 
us unable to cope with any very furious riders of the Chivalry. 
She begged us to go, " for God's sake," or we would surely be 
killed. Neither Thain nor I had a mind to get killed, but we 
would not have thought much about it if the old woman had 

* Hftmilton H. Thain, Company I. ^ 



THE LONG ROLL 

not shown such alarm. We concluded to slip into the orchard 
behind a fence, where we would be equal in advantage to the 
horsemen ; and with pieces cocked, and somewhat shaky as 
to the outcome, we awaited their approach. They proved to 
be our surgeon and some other officer, taking a cross-cut to 
camp ; so our valor was not put to the test this time. 

This poor country presents a most melancholy appearance. 
Not a white soul to be found in all the homes I have seen. None 
but negroes for caretakers, and they, in the absence of their 
masters, do nothing but eat and sleep, and in fact have nothing 
more to do, for their masters, I ween, would hardly thank them 
were they to store the abundant crops now so nearly ripe, for 
the benefit of their enemies. 

Who can blame the Southern citizens for not staying here 
to witness the destruction of their property and the desecration 
of their homes ? Their cause as men and freemen is just. We 
are the invaders, and it were right for them to drive us from 
their soil. It is on the instigators of the rebellion that the crime 
of this heartrending calamity rests. On the return march 
through this rich if not altogether beautiful region, I had both 
time and inclination to reflect on the scenes of desolation about 
me; and while my comrades were thoughtlessly making it 
greater, I often said to myself, " God help this poor, distracted 
country ! " 

Friday, June 28th. 

Was detailed this morning for picket duty, which I prefer 
to the camp guard, as one is more free and the extra vigilance 
required helps to w^ear away the dulness of the two hours on, 
post. Some firing from the batteries opposite, at the mouth 
of the Nansemond, this morning, told us the enemy were 
evidently trying their guns. About noon, Company K of our 
Regiment and a Company of the Rifles came in through our 
line from a scout, our men carrying a Rebel flag, stars down, 
which they had captured somewhere, but under what circum- 
stances I have not yet been able to learn. 

26 



THE LONG ROLL 

Saturday, June 291 li. 

Rained very hard during the night and soaked us to the 
skin. At one time it was so dark, while on my post in the woods, 
that I had to feel for the roadway while walking my beat. It 
rommenoed to rain again after daylight, just after my relief 
had iK'en put on, and as I undertook to " secure " my piece, 
about a pint of water poured from the muzzle, as I had left it 
standing, nuizzle up, against a tree while trying to get a little 
sleep, and it nuist have been filled by the water trickling down in 
the grooves of the bark. I lost no time in swabbing it out and 
reloading, which operation I had just performed when my next 
man came down with word from the officer of the guard, to 
use extra vigilance, as we might expect the enemy on us at any 
moment in full force for attack. I was further informed that 
two Rebel soldiers had run onto our picket-line above and 
delivere<l themselves prisoners of war, having lost themselves 
during tlie nigiit antl stumbled upon us. They belonged to a 
Louisiana Zouave Regiment, and reported a force of five thou- 
sand Secessionists only six miles from us. 

But it is now afternoon, and nothing definite is heard from 
them. No apprehension whatever seems to be felt here on 
account of their proximity, though, to be sure, a private soldier 
would not be apt to know much of events in expectancy. Still, 
there is always something in the air that he can feel when 
danger threatens, and our camp to-day droons away under 
the hot sun in its usual manner, and more indifferent to the 
terrible five thousand than if they were quietly in camp, like 
ourselves, at Yorktown. And as to that, five thousand might 
disturb our usual routine, but nothing more, for it would take 
more than twice that force to endanger the post of Newport 
News by any daytime attack ; and as for a surprise, with our 
present General, 1 do not think it possil)le. 

Sunday, June 30th. 
Company A was sent out in the afternoon yesterday — to 
pee what had become of the Rebel force, 1 presume. They 
returned last night with two more of this same Louisiana 

I 27 



THE LONG ROLL 

Regiment. One of the fellows captured was formerly a New 
Yorker, and did not seem to regret very much the calamity 
of falling into the hands of the enemy. 

We had, yesterday, an opportunity to witness the extra- 
ordinary power of the new Sawyer gun recently put in position 
in our water-battery. Our General, I presume, concluding to 
try his guns as the enemy had theirs, the day before, fired five 
shots at their battery on Pigs Point opposite, which can not 
be less than five miles distant. I fancy it must have astonished 
the Southerners to see a ball plow the water in front of their 
works, almost before the report of the concussion could reach 
them, and from so great a distance. The first was a fine shot ; 
the second and third were a little out of range ; the fourth I 
did not see strike, and it may have reached the other shore, 
as some of the spectators would have it, though this seems 
almost impossible; but the fifth and last was well aimed and 
with a little more elevation might have reached the battery. 
We could see it strike close by the fort, with the naked eye, and 
those who had glasses said it struck close to shore in shallow 
water, driving a column of sand and water before it. It took 
the projectile about twenty seconds, as nearly as I could judge, 
to travel perhaps four and a half miles ; and the gun is not extra- 
ordinary to look at — about the weight of the thirty-two-pound 
Columbiads near by. 

Tuesday, July 2d. 

Have been reviewed by General Butler to-day. We formed 
in line of battle and marched by the General and staff in review. 
Made quite an imposing appearance, though there are but four 
Regiments of us now — the Vermonters, Scott Life Guards, 
the Germans and ourselves. The Massachusetts men have 
been withdrawn from here, and are now stationed at Fortress 
Monroe. 

Have just been finishing a little sketch from here, a quiet, 

shady nook, and — there ! — the drums again beating some con-( 

founded call or other. I must go and see what it is. Pay-day 

is coming soon, I am told, and though I had intended spending 

28 



THE LONG ROLL 

a half-hour more here, reading or writing, I must go and see 
if I am summoned to undergo the ordeal of receiving money, 
or a poor dinner. 

Thursday, July 4th. 

We celebrated here at Newport News by a grand parade 
of all the Regiments, the playing of the national airs by the 
Regimental band, and by a salute of thirty-four guns for 
the Union by our battery of Columbiads. In the afternoon we 
were given general liberty, which I have employed in sketching 
the curious old windmill not far from here, just beyond the 
picket-line. 

Saturday, July 6th. 

Comi)any F, Captain Hammill, returned from a scout 
yesterday, having had a brush with a superior force of the 
enemy, somewhere up the James. They came upon them 
unexpectedly, and opened fire, compelling them to retreat in 
evident confusion. Hammill kept after them until they were 
re-cnforccd with cavalry, when he retreated through the woods 
as fast as possible until secure from pursuit. His force num- 
bered but twenty-five men. 

Upon reporting the facts to General Phelps, that gentleman 
ordered out five Companies of our Regiment, " Ours " among 
the number, and three Companies of Vermonters under Major 
Worthing, all under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Betts. 
We at once i)roceedcd to the scene of the encounter and cruised 
about the vicinity for some time, advancing quite a distance 
beyond wliere Hammill had met their force, hoping to have the 
good fortune to meet them again. With the exception of a 
large tree felled across the road as if to impede the passage of 
artillery, no sign of an enemy was to be found. 

On our return, we gathered from some negroes that Ham- 
mill's fire had proved fatal to some of the enemy, killing and 
wounding quite a number. Among the killed were two officers, 
we were told, one of them of high rank, for " they were mighty 
keerful " or " skeert of him," they said. However, it was 
impossible to make out from this description just what was 
his rank. 

29 



THE LONG ROLL 

Wednesday, July 10th. 
Another scouting party came in this morning, reporting 
that they ran upon a body of the enemy's cavalry estimated 
at two hundred fifty, and were glad to beat a retreat, which 
they accomplished without loss by keeping in the woods. 

Friday, July 12th. 

Had a good opportunity to witness a Brigade Drill of all 
the Regiments here, " Ours " appeared unusually well, none 
the less so on account of the havelocks with which their heads 
were uniformed, and for which we have undoubtedly to thank 
our New York ladies. 

One of Colonel Bendix's scouting parties has returned, 
minus twelve of its men, killed or missing, and a half-regiment 
was immediately sent out, but could find no enemy. 

Sunday, July 14th. 

General Butler has been here to-day inspecting the Post. 
We fired four shots at the Pigs Point Battery from our long- 
range gun. 

We are told that to-morrow will be pay-day, and it is to be 
hoped it may prove true, but I have learned that so little 
dependence is to be placed on such rumors that I shall believe 
it when I see the money. 

I learn that we have had a distinguished visitor to-day, 
none other than Mr. Russell, the correspondent of the London 
" Times." 

Wednesday, July 17th. 

Have just gotten two letters with more than ordinary 
pleasure : one from my Father in Minnesota and the other 
from my Sister in Hudson City, the first news I have had from 
either of these homes since I left New York. All well so far. 

Thursday, July 18th. 

Have written long answers to the letters received yesterday . 

Last night was a most beautiful night. The moon shone so 

brightly as to almost blot out the stars ; a gentle breeze fron-i 

the James fanned one's features with just enough motion tc. 

30 



THE LONG ROLL 

produce a feeling akin to inspiration, and I made my bed out- 
side, as the thought of a crowded tent on a night like this 
seemed unbearable. And there I lay dreaming day-dreams 
far into the nigiit. I watched the comet, wondering if that 
mysterious little visitor was not perhaps at the same time 
watched by eyes that would beam gladly into mine : and I 
composed quite a number of beginnings to addresses to the 
curious thing, whatever it may be. But the comet is now tired 
of his visit to these regions of space, or disgusted it may be 
with the appearance of things on this side of our planet, for he 
is nt)W leaving in seemingly greater haste than he came, with 
his tail between his legs, for the unknown regions out yonder. 
Well. g()()(l-i)y and fare thee well. Stranger And I fervently 
hope that thou niayst see the face of the Earth beaming with 
smiles where now her frowns are lowering, on thy next visit, 
if that should be while this little world is still in existence. And 
to sleep at last, to dream again not more strangely than if awake, 
and only disturl)e(i by a little cannonading up the river. The 
" Monticello " chasing something up there, I believe. 

Monday, July 2'2d. 

Quite a chapter of incidents and accidents to relate to-day. 
Early yesterday morning, a private from the Vermont Regiment 
and one from the (ierman were fired upon from an ambush. The 
V'ermonter was killed and the other escaped to camp with the 
news. A party was at once sent out to bring in the body of 
the iwifortunate soldier, and they returned with it, and two 
Southerners, sup{)osed to be the murderers, because they had 
been foimd in a neighboring field, with their hands bloody. 
They are now in tlie Vermont guard-house. 

In the afternoon quite a brisk breeze set in from the South- 
east, of which a Rebel schooner coming down the Nansemond 
endeavored to take advantage and make off up the James. 
A shot from the " Daylight " (six guns of small calibre) called 
our attention to the fact, and very soon after, the bluffs over- 
looking the beach and river were lined with spectators. The 
'* Daylight " fired five or six shots at her, which fell short some- 

31 



THE LONG ROLL 

thing over a mile. These were followed by a shot from our 
Rifle, which seemed to strike as much beyond her as the " Day- 
light's " gun had struck below. At this, she turned about and 
took to her heels. Ran so well that we had not time to fire 
more than three or four more shots at her before she was out 
of range and she soon disappeared up the River Nansemond 
from where she had made her appearance. 

The breeze brought on a furious rainstorm in the night, from 
which the whole camp suffered more or less. Our tent had 
rotted and we were compelled to hold it up or it would have 
come down on our heads. Weathered it out, however, but at 
the expense of a good drenching. 

The Scott Life Guards have captured four Secessionists 
to-day. It seems that after they had taken them they made 
them tell where their arms had been left, which they thus 
succeeded in getting, also three horses. Their arms consisted 
of two rifles and one double-barreled shotgun. 

There are some queer rumors about the camp that our arms 
have met with a severe reverse at Manassas Junction — that 
the Eighth and the Sixty-ninth have been badly cut up. If 
this is true or merely a hoax, the mail to-night will tell us. The 
Orderly is just " Falling-in " the Company, and I must lay 
down the pen. 

Tuesday, July 23d. 
I have seen the " Tribune " of the Twentieth, according to 
which our troops lost some thousand men in an attempt to 
take the batteries at Bull Run ; but rumor says there is a later 
paper contradicting this statement, but I have not seen it. 
While going through the evolution of the brigade drill under 
Colonel Phelps yesterday, we heard some sharp firing, which 
could have been only four or five miles from here. Alternating 
between " Company fire " and " Fire by file," from the rapid 
volleys it seemed as if sharp work was going on somewhere. 
There was also an occasional report of artillery. Our officers 
are determined to be ready for anything, for at Retreat, car- 
tridges were distributed among the men, and our Company 
32 







£?•'?: 



"/"-, 






THE LONG ROLL 

went through some bayonet exercises with more earnestness 
than is usual (such as " Charge " and " Guard against cav- 
alry," etc.), and wlien dismissed were cautioned to be ready 
for the ** 1/ong Roll." Inside of the breastworks the troops 
were eciualiy determined to l)e ready ; for as late as eleven 
o'clock the First Regiment was at work on the walls of the 
fortification, filling the crevices made by the last storm. 

I had just about dropped to sleep, about twelve o'clock, 
when the earth gave that peculiar quiver occasioned by the 
firing of heavy artillery, immediately followed by the report. 
I counted, after that, eleven guns fired at intervals of about two 
minutes, but could hear nothing of any smaller arms ; then the 
firing ceased, all was quiet, and giving up the idea of an attack, 
I went to sleep. 

Ten A. M. 

Have just heard another volley of musketry somewhere. 
What does it mean? 

Wednesday, July 24th. 

JJah ! The firing we heard was only Durj^ea's Regiment 
practising with blank cartridges ; he must have plenty of 
powder, it seems to me. 

July 25th. 

Have seen the " Herald " and the " Tribune " of the 
Twenty -second, and they both agree that instead of the reported 
defeat at Hull Run, it was a victory after a severe fight of 
twelve hours. IJut now, rumor says that the papers of the 
Twenty-third contradict this again, telling of a panic and 
the retreat of our forces. To-morrow will probably give us the 
truth, whatever that is. I presume I might know it now, but 
I am on tlie outer picket and have not heard from camp since 
the mail-boat came in. 

Friday, July 26th. 

I .saw a paper of the Twenty-third last night, and it cor- 
roborates the worst. Our forces were defeated and made a 
shameful stampede, it seems, without the least attempt at order. 
I^ has made us all feel badly, but 1 can not but think that the 

33 



THE LONG ROLL 

people at home must feel worse about it than we do. 1 am sure 
that I feel the disaster less keenly than if I were a civilian. 

One of our Buglers is dead, and as I write, Colonel Allen's 
band is escorting the body to its last resting-place. 




^4 



il 



CHAPTER V 

An Interpolation 

THE leaves in my Journal Number Two, between last 
date and August Thirtieth, were torn out, after my return 
home, because of the mistaken notion that the incidents 
therein dwelt upon might reflect upon my honor as a soldier. 
I now regret this exceedingly, as it obliges me to write from 
memory the account of an unpleasant episode, which in my 
present character of exact historian I dislike to do.* However, 
the reader may rest assured that the account now given is 
substantially the same as was written at the time. 

A disaffection among the officers which had been smoulder- 
ing for some time manifested itself at this period in quite a 
blaze. The Colonel had encountered the opposition of some 
of his staff and line officers, who had ventured to question his 
fitness for command, and now, in fact, covertly hinted at the 
expediency of his resignation. This, of course, created two 
parties in the camp, of which the Colonel headed one, with 
Captain Jardine as chief supporter; and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Betts, I think, though that gentleman was too high-minded 
to mix in any broils of the kind himself, was the soul of the 
opposition. Colonel Belts' resignation after the affair at Roan- 
oke was owing to the perpetual disagreements between himself 
and Colonel Hawkins resulting from this feud. He would have 
resigned before, but did not wish to risk any imputation 
that might l)e raised against him as man or soldier. The Colo- 
nel's party proved the stronger, and, by hook or crook (said 
to have been by ballot). Captain Jardine gained the seniority 
of the (^iptain in line, to the great disgust of the other officers, 
who were certainly the more numerous, and who did not omit 
to hint at foul play. Captain Graham's Company (I), which 
was thus displaced, showed open indication of opposition and 
was, I believe, put under arrest for a time. 

The disaffection soon spread through the other Companies, 

• It is quite eviilcnt that this chapter was written soon after tlie return to 
Minnesota, nut long after the oiiginal was destroyed. 

/ 35 



THE LONG ROLL 

where it took another form. Report was now circulated that 
we were not enlisted for any specified time, having sworn to 
serve " two years or the war" which was indefinite now that 
the war promised to continue longer than we at that time 
anticipated. Also, that we were not regularly mustered into 
the United " States service; that the Government did not 
recognize us, of which last the paymaster's non-appearance 
made the belief more plausible. Then, as the noise grew in 
volume, many other little items of discontent were brought in. 
The food was thought to be unfit for beasts, and indeed the 
crackers served out to us at this time were most vile, said to 
have been a condemned lot from the Crimea. Everything 
was brought to bear that could intensify the excitement. Some 
one had drawn up a paper, a respectful letter of inquiry. I 
understood that it asked information concerning the points 
in doubt; viz., the term of enlistment, etc., and to this paper 
I, thoughtlessly enough, in fact not dreaming that any harm 
could come from it, signed my name, and went about my 
business, which happened to be washing, down in the hollow 
in the rear of the camp. But the Colonel, on the presentation 
of this paper, put it in his pocket and took the first boat for 
Fortress Monroe and returned with the Commanding General. 
So that, when I got back to camp I was surprised to find the 
Regiment drawn up in hollow square on the parade-ground, 
with General Butler speaking to them, and a Corporal's guard 
waiting to take charge of me; and here, for the first time in 
my life, I found myself a criminal and a prisoner. 

I was immediately conducted to the steamer, plying between 
Newport News and Fortress Monroe, and found about a dozen 
other " Signers " on board before me, appearing rather uneasy, 
though striving to hide their concern ; and though I could not 
feel guilty of any crime, I must confess I felt oppressed by the 
seriousness of the aspect affairs had assumed. I could now 
reflect, and it was not without concern, that I found one certain 
circumstance outside the signing of the paper tending to testify 
against me in the Court-Martial which I could see was impend- 
ing, and that was, my failure to turn out with the Regiment. 
36 



THE LONG ROLL 

To be sure, it was an accident, owing to the fact that I had 
been on guard the niglit before and was excused from morning 
drill, but who of the members of the Court would or could 
believe my absence under the circumstances, to be anything 
but a design on my part to stay away ? 

This gave me some uneasiness, for in my innocence I sup- 
j>osed a Court-Martial would inquire into details as minutely 
as a Civil Court ; but at any rate, I thought best to keep the 
matter to myself. Meanwhile, we were making fast time for 
Old Point Comfort, with Dave, a fine singer, trying to cheer us 
with one of his most stirring songs, " The Old Musketeer." 

Our destination proved to be the " Rip Raps," the partially 
finished L\)rt Calhoun, where we were put in charge of a Ser- 
geant Hodgekins of a Massachusetts Regiment, and received 
by him and his conuades, more like honored guests than 
prisoners with grave charges preferred against them. 

As we were given to understand that this would be our 
home until a Court-Martial could be convened, which would not 
be sooner than convenient, at any rate, there was nothing for us 
to do but to make ourselves comfortable, and in this respect, 
we found our situation preferable to that at Newport News. 
I must here take space to testify my appreciation of that excel- 
lent man. Sergeant Ho<lgekins, and his subordinates, one and 
all, who for their kindness and considerate conduct toward 
us while in their charge, making our prison life a pleasure, 
more than deser\e our heartfelt thanks. To be sure, we were 
not criminals in the true sense of the word, but as insubordi- 
nates, we might have experienced much less courtesy without 
surprise. We were given free use of the best they had, their 
own cpiarters, their not inconsiderable library and the liberty 
of the Island. The library 1 took advantage of to read some- 
thing of Fredrica Bremer's, but first — that is, after the first 
night's sleep — I prepared to satisfy my curiosity concerning 
this island fortress, named Fort Calhoun, but for some reason, 
as yet unknown to me. commonly called the " Rip Raps." 

The Lsland is entirely artificial, having been brought from 
a distance bv shiploads and deposited here upon a shallow 

37 



i 



THE LONG ROLL 

place or reef in the Roads, and the granite, of which the walls 
of the fortification were in course of construction, was from 
New Hampshire. The solidity and massiveness of these walls 
were something to admire, and I made a sketch of a casemated 
gun, a thirty-two pounder, mounted and facing the enemy's 
battery on Sewall's Point, to show the nature of the work. 

The fort I thought would be invulnerable when com- 
pleted, but it was destined with thousands of its fellows 
to be rendered comparatively useless about a year later, by 
an event which took place under its very walls ; for the New 
Era of Iron, superseding that of Stone and Wood, was brought 
in when Ericsson's little " Monitor " proved herself capable 
of saving the " Minnesota " from sharing the sad fate of the 
" Cumberland." And in that same instant the walls and 
defences of every monarch on the face of the globe fell with 
a great crash, shattered as completely as castles of granite 
dissolved by enchantment, and rendered as useless as this 
heap of stones, the Rip Raps, appears to be from the distance ; 
with every capital in the world exposed and open to sack and 
pillage; with every tyrant trembling like a fox hunting his 
hole, for fifty Monitors could have mastered all Europe. 

The twin to the Sawyer gun at Newport News is here 
mounted on a dock or pier facing Sewall's Point. A few shots 
were fired at the enemy's entrenchments there on the occasion 
of the visit of General Wool on a tour of inspection to the 
Island, without eliciting any reply. General Wool was then 
about to supersede General Butler in command of this Depart- 
ment. 

There was no attempt made to keep a garrison on the 
Island at all adequate for its defence in case of attack, the 
only troops being this Massachusetts Company, scarce a 
Corporal's guard, under Sergeant Hodgekins ; though of course 
no attack was to be apprehended with Fortress Monroe situ- 
ated as it was and the Roads blocked by the fleet. But that 
not even a positive assurance of security can be trusted in 
war time is proven by the great event of Hampton Roads, the 
attack of the " Merrimac." And had it not been for the 
38 



THE LONG ROLL 

*• Monitor, " that alone of all the fleet had the hardihood to 
face the vertical plates of the Rebel monster, what would have 
become of this Key to the Roads then locking the door to the 
Rebel Capital? Fortress Monroe could hardly cover it, with 
the " Merrimac " itself secure from harm, tearing it to pieces 
under its very walls. 

I sketched an old-fashioned iron gun or that part of it 
protruding from a vast pile of granite blocks in which it had 
been by accident or design embedded, a curious relic of a former 
age : rust-eaten, battered and cracked, an old Revolutionary 
warrior perhajjs — at any rate, torn by hard service, and now 
useless and shelved in solemn mockery of former use. 

A few workmen in the employ of the Government were 
noticed here and there on the works evidently doing something, 
though exactly what I could not discover, for that work, to any 
extent in the fortifications, had ceased was entirely evident. 

A singular adventure happened to me here while I was 
bathing from the dock. Not so terrible as an affair with a shark 
or a battle with a cuttlefish, but nevertheless an adventure, 
if you plejise — an attack of Sea Nettles. Caleph, Medusa, 
and many other names are given them, but of them all, for 
reasons to be made obvious, I i)refer the first. Those beautiful 
creatures we had watched with great pleasure as, with their 
slow and methodical motions, they propelled themselves about 
the Island, which seemed to them a favorite resort, for nowhere 
else have I seen them in such beautiful variety and so numerous. 
Out of water they become an indistinguishable shapeless mass 
of pulp, but in their element, they have a bell or cup shaped 
head of a variety of colors, to which is appended, from the 
inside, a body terminating in loose streamers. They elongate 
themselves as much as possible, seeming to inhale the water 
OS air is inhaled by the lungs; then by bringing the rim forward 
until flattened into the shape of a saucer, they are able to push 
themselves along quite rapidly, though with nothing like the 
speed of fisli or other active marine animals. They seem to 
be a family of living leeches of the sea, clinging to decaying 
substances ; but whether the fact of fresh water here mingling 

39 



THE LONG ROLL 

with the salt has any influence in keeping them in this vicinity, 
I can not tell. 

It happened thus : In taking our usual evening's swim 
off the dock, I found myself farther from shore than I intended, 
and made for a buoy a short distance out, to rest on it before 
returning. I hardly had touched it, however, before it seemed 
as if I were seized by a legion of little devils with pins in them. 
I knew at once that I had struck a colony of Sea Nettles and 
that until I could get out of the water, it would be useless to 
try to rid myself of them, as they are worse than leeches in 
their power of holding fast. They seem to glue themselves 
to the object of attack and then to fall to with all their power 
of suction, which, by my experience, I found to be tremendous. 
I made for shore as fast as possible, with every pin doing its 
worst. On every part of my body under water, they clung, 
pricking, biting, sucking and stinging, from which occupations, 
my plunging in the water did not in the least disturb them. 
One can easily imagine what I had to endure before gaining 
the dock. The moment I dragged myself out of the water, 
my persecutors let go, and though my body smarted for some 
time after, I could not but laugh at the ludicrousness of the 
adventure. 

The Frigate, " Minnesota," Flagship of the North Atlantic 
Squadron, was at one time anchored between the Rip Raps 
and Fortress Monroe, and the accompanying sketch was made, 
though with the worst of materials, only such as I could secure 
by chance at the time. It may not be as correct as a photo- 
graph — a remark, by the way, which may apply to all the 
sketches here referred to — but as I shall publish none except 
such as are drawn from nature or life, I hope they may not be 
wanting in interest as much as in matters of detail and artistic 
merit. 

The sketches bring to my mind many a delightful day 
spent among the Rip Rap rocks, writing, reading and drawing ; 
the ever- varying and shifting scenes of an important naval and 
military station in time of war, continually furnishing new 
objects of interest to a mind somewhat alive to the beauties 
40 



THE LONG ROLL 

of nature, and I enjoyed everything to the utmost. But there 
was an end to these days of pleasant captivity, and our stay 
at the Rip Raj)s was over far too soon. 

The paymaster came and left some gold among us. This 
was the first and last payment in coin, I believe, from the 
beginning of the war. After a sojourn of about two weeks on 
the Island, we were summoned to appear before a Court-Mar- 
tial at the Fortress. We were taken over in squads as fast as 
wanted, accomjKinied by an Orderly. This young man, one 
of the regular garrison, conducted us to the building where 
the court was marshalled, informing us about the time he 
thought we would be wanted, and in the interval, left us at 
perfect liberty to dispose of ourselves in or about the Fortress 
as we saw fit. This lil)erty I availed myself of to see everything 
worth seeing within and without the walls. 

When my turn came for examination, I was called before 
several stout officers in uniform, among whom was our Major 
Kimball, and as nearly as I can remember, questions were 
asked and answered as follows : 

QuESTio.v (the common formula of name. Company, Regi- 
ment being disposed of much as in civil courts). "Did you sign 
a certain paper on day at Camp Butler? " 

Answkk. " Yes, Sir." 

Q. " What was your object in so doing.'* " 

A. " To find out if there was any truth in certain rumors 
about the camp." 

Q. "What were these rumors?" 

A. " That we were not regularly mustered into the United 
States service, or for an indefinite time, and consequently would 
not receive any pay if not paid by the State of New York." 

Q. " Did you not know such rumors to be false? " 

A. " No, Sir. I think the indefinite term of enlistment, 
'two years or the war,' tended to confirm some of them." 

Q. " Did you not know that it was an act of insubordination 
to sign tliis paper? " 

A. " No, Sir. I thought no more of it than of asking a 
question of a superior officer." 

41 



THE LONG ROLL j 

Court. " But you not only asked questions, but demanded 
answers to them, coupled with assertions mutinous in their 

tenor." , 

Self. " If I did, Sir, I was not aware of it at the time. 1 

supposed I was simply asking for information." 

C. "You did not know, then, the nature of what you 

signed ? " , j • 

S. " The paper was brought and read to me during some 
excitement in camp. I did not read it myself and the demands 
you mention may have escaped me. I certainly thought no 
harm could possibly come from it. On the contrary, I supposed 
I was doing the right thing, as an answer to the questions would 
restore quiet in the camp. I am not by nature or disposition 
a wrongdoer, unless it is a wrong to serve a country willingly. 
I supposed there would be no objection to giving information 
which it seemed to me we all should have. I certainly felt an 
interest in the money question. It may be, Gentlemen, that 
I have those depending on my pay, that makes it important 

to me." . 

As this was said with some earnestness not unmixed with 
indignation, my feelings just then rushed into a heap and 

conquered me (Age Eighteen). A slight sensation — 

unmistakable sympathy of Major Kimball. His valiant but 
tender soul felt worse for me than I did for myself, in spite of 
my outburst. I was dismissed without further questions. 
After a few days, immediately following the adjournment of 
the Court, we received orders to report to our Regiment. ^ i 

The whole thing, from beginning to end, was well-nigh 
forgotten in the excitement attending our departure for Hat- 
teras. Nearly a month later we were again reminded of the 
occurrence by an order read at Dress Parade, drumming us 
all out of the Regiment; but, in consideration, etc., etc., etc., 
grace and peace, etc., etc., etc. Well, this was perhaps not an 
inappropriate finale to an episode which was looked upon from 
the first as a simple farce. But the farce, if such it was, might 
have been curtailed with advantage. In consideration of the 
fact that our imprisonment and trial were but the means by 
42 



THE LONG ROLL 

which our young Colonel regained authority over his oflScers, 
in<jre than over his men, which I have reason for believing he had 
lost through his method of advancing his favorites, I think this 
last order, though tending to cast only the shadow of a stain 
upon our records as soldiers, but still casting that shadow, might 
just as well have been dispensed with. 




48 



CHAPTER VI 

Hatteras 

Newport News, Va. 
Sunday, August 31st. 
AN exciting little affair occurred to-day between a Rebel gun- 
f\^ boat and the sloop-of-war, " Savannah," opposite this 
point. About noon, a little steam-tug managed to crawl 
along the other shore from under the batteries on Crany Island, 
to within two and a half or three miles of this post, without 
exciting notice or suspicion, which, indeed, its diminutive size 
was well calculated to elude; and before any one had really 
thought of questioning her — before, perhaps, any one had seen 
her — she stated her errand herself with a dull boom over the 
water and a projectile plump under the " Savannah's " stern. 
That the " Savannah " was taken unawares is not strange, 
and that there was a lively time clearing for action on board of 
her may be believed, for the little tug kept advancing and 
improving in her range at every shot, one or two of which had 
done some damage. She had time to send in her fourth query 
before our sloop-of-war was ready with an answer, which, when 
said and done, fell a half-mile short of the purpose. This, with 
the cool, sharp rejoinder whistling overhead, seemed to make 
her perfectly furious, and she shook out whole broadsides in 
reply, fearful in energy but misspent and lost upon a rival so 
distant and so small. She had no guns of sufficient range, and 
had to confess her inability to cope with her long-armed antago- 
nist, by sending a boat ashore to request the aid of our water- 
battery. 

General Phelps was making a tour of the pickets and out- 
posts at the time, but came in just as a Lieutenant of Artillery 
was taking range at the little fellow with the Sawyer gun. Some 
kegs of powder were exposed at the time outside of the magazine, 
which he at once espied, and he was mightily incensed at the 
Lieutenant for attempting to fire with ammunition so uncovered, 
and he would not allow a shot to be fired before the powder 
was stored. This was soon done, and having cautioned the 
44 



THE LONG ROLL 

Lieutenant not to fire l)efore he had perfect aim, he himself 
took charge of the Columbiads. The first shot from the 
Sawyer pun went over in range. It was followed by the Gen- 
eral's ('oluml)iad, which seemed to send a column of water 
over the (Iwk, and was hailed with enthusiasm by the specta- 
tors. But still undaunted, the tug replied, nearly striking our 
sloop-of-war. The sloop had by this time gotten a greater 
elevation for her giuis by knocking out the ends of the carriages, 
allowing the breech of each to rest on deck, and she shook out 
another broadside which was so much better than her former 
attempts that our surprise was excited. Having accomplished, 
probably, all she desired, at any rate having stirred up a hornets' 
nest, the little tug now turned about and slowly steamed down 
the River in the direction from which she had come, and was 
followed by our shot and shell until out of range. 

Some firing shortly after from the direction of the Fortress 
indicated that the plucky little devil was saluted for her gal- 
lantry by the mate to the Sawyer gun on the Rip Raps. 

The whole affair lasted about an hour and a half, the most 
exciting thing of the kind it has been my fortune to witness. 

Sunday, September 1st. 

Charles \V. Haltzman was accidentally shot while on his 
post on guard this morning. A member of our own Company 
w;is the unfortunate cause of the accident, he being in the act 
of taking the cap from his piece /or greater safety when it was 
discharged into poor Haltzman's head. I heard the report 
shortly after I got up, and seeing people run in that direction 
I hastened out to see what had happened, and was in time to 
see the i)Oor boy where he had fallen, with his head in a dark 
pool of blood, j)rescnting a ghastly picture. The poor fellow 
who shot him has been running about all day in a distracted 
manner that is really pitiful. Haltzman asked me to sketch 
his face the other day, and I am very sorry I did not do so then, 
as it might have been of some comfort to his poor Mother. 

Another shooting accident after guard mount ; a fellow 
on the beach, where the old guard have an hour or so for firing 

45 



THE LONG ROLL 

oflF their pieces, putting a pistol bullet through one of his thighs ; 
he bawled so fearfully and cut up so many antics, rolling around 
on the sand, that I thought the man must be killed, but he was 
only badly frightened, the fatal accident of this morning 
undoubtedly adding much to his terror. 

September 8th. 
News received from the Naval expedition which left here 
about two weeks ago under sealed orders. The object of the 
expedition has been accomplished; namely, the capture of 
the forts commanding Hatteras Inlet on the North Carolina 
coast, with seven hundred fifty-five prisoners, five stands of 
colors, one thousand stands of arms, thirty cannon, several 
schooners and clothing, etc., etc., all without losing a man. 
Our Colonel is now in command of one of the forts, and it is 
rumored that the balance of the Regiment is to proceed at once 
to the Inlet to form the garrison. This last part of the intel- 
ligence ought to be the least welcome, I presume, because of 
the well-known unhealthiness of the place. As for me, it will 
be a change anyway, something new, for though I am well 
aware that it may be long before we will find another station 
as pleasant and healthy as this, the life we have here is getting 
to be rather humdrum, and as for war, we have certainly seen 
nothing of that. 

Hatteras Inlet, N. C. 

September 12th. 

We trod North Carolina soil, or rather, I should say, sand, 
for the first time yesterday. I am not in the least disappointed 
at the dreary prospect, as it is just about the kind of a place 
I expected to find ; that is, a long, low strip of sand between 
two oceans, the actual coast of North Carolina not being in 
sight, producing just that impression. Some distance up there 
are evidences of trees or shrubbery, though what they can be 
from soil like this, is hard to imagine. 

We embarked on the United States Transport," S. R.Spauld- 
ing," night before last. My first care was to find a place in 
which to bunk. Selected a spot under the Major's buggy, and 
46 



thp: long roll 

its I was fatigued from packing and lugging camp equipage on 
board the steamer, as well as from being on guard the night 
before, I was soon in a sound sleep, from which I awoke next 
morning on the Atlantic Ocean, the coast in sight, however. 
About ten o'clock we came in sight of Cape Hatteras Light- 
Ilouse, which I tried to sketch from under the buggy. We soon 
after sighted the " Susquehanna " and " Pawnee " guarding 
the Inlet ; also, our flags flying over the forts, and then the 
forts themselves. We took aboard two pilots before entering 
the channel, which, judging from the way the breakers roared 
all around us as the steamer carefully picked her way between 
them, seemed to be very necessary. Having gotten through, 
however, we anchored alongside an old time-worn light-ship 
lettered *' Brandts Island Land Shoal " — wherever that might 
be. Coming in we met two outward-bound schooners captured 
while trying to make the Inlet, being, of course, unaware of the 
events that had transpired here since they sailed. One of these 
vessels wjus captured by stratagem, which if true is worth rela- 
ting ; at any rate, I will give it for w hat it is worth, while here 
with the ship at anchor. 

About two days after our forces had come into possession 
of the forts, a schooner hove in sight, but on being brought to 
by a shot from the " Cumberland," hoisted the English flag ; 
as nothing actually wrong was found about her she was allowed 
to depart, but not without strong suspicion that she was a 
blockade-runner. Accordingly, the following plan was hastily 
resolved upon. A Rebel flag was hoisted on Fort Clark and 
with the tugboat " Fanny " under the same emblem. Colonel 
Hawkins and Lieutenant Crosby of the Naval Brigade ran out, 
hugging the shore as much as possible to give the impression of 
slipping by the " Cumberland." The schooner, as soon as she 
(iccmcd herself out of the frigate's sight, changed her colors from 
British to Secesh. Our officers, pleased with the marked success 
of their ruse, boarded the vessel without delay, but still, it seems, 
witiiout creating any suspicion in the mind of the Captain, 
for they had hardly reached her deck before the skipper com- 
menced to congratulate himself upon how nicely he had fooled 

47 



THE LONG ROLL 

the ** Cumberland." " But," said he, a doubt evidently striking 
his mind, " is that our vessel ? " pointing to the " Pawnee " 
now coming in sight. " That vessel," said the Lieutenant, " is 
a United States vessel, I am a United States officer and you are 
a United States prisoner." 

They tell me the skipper only looked his astonishment, 
and did not seem to realize the fact fully until he saw the 
" Fanny " change flags and uncover two neat little brass 
pieces, then he suddenly made a dive for the cabin, and when 
wanted, he was found— -dead drunk. 

Our camp has been pitched outside of Fort Clark, and we 
have not had much time to look around. From all appearances, 
everything will be both new and strange, if not interesting, and 
I intend to take the earliest opportunity to see what there is to 

be seen. 

Fort Clark, 
September 14th. 

Worked hard yesterday rafting lumber from the lower fort 
for barracks, and had to get into the water in shallow places 
to shove the rafts. In the meantime, I have had an opportunity 
to look around somewhat and am becoming acquainted with 
our new situation. 

Forts Hatteras and Clark are situated on the Northeast 
side of the Inlet on this narrow belt of sand which skirts the 
coast from the Chesapeake to Florida, more or less close to the 
mainland, and right here in front of North Carolina, making 
a considerable Eastern detour, with Cape Hatteras, twelve 
miles above, at its greatest angle. This belt divides the waters 
of the Atlantic at this point from three important inland seas 
or sounds, called Pamlico, Albemarle and Currituck Sounds, 
respectively. These are connected with the ocean by three 
inlets, the Topsail, Ocracoke and Hatteras. Two of these are 
nearly if not quite impassable, and we, thanks to General Wool, 
masters of the third, hold the key to these important and con- 
siderable waters. 

The forts are constructed of swamp-turf or sod (peat), 
brought from some distance above, and no better materia! 
48 



< i 

IV' 




^\ 



^4® 



V 



'f.^^il^^ 



\\ itt k of the " Noptunc's ("ar " 






y 



Company I Quarters, Camp Wool 



PL.\TE VII 




V 



At Camp Wool 



PUlTE VIII 



THE LONG ROLL 

(Mil l)(* found to resist cither hall or bombshell, it being spongy 
y( I strong and as solid as baled cotton or India rubber. The 
>t Ncrity of the haninicring that these forts, i)articularly Fort 
llatteras, received from our fleets is evidenced by the great 
quantity of fragments as well as of the unexpected shells strewn 
about them; for these lay so thick that it seemed to have 
lilerally rained shells, as I presume it did. And yet the forts 
were hardly marred : scarce a dent can be discovered in their 
outlines from this terrific storm of iron. Commodore Barron, 
when told that we had not lost a man in the engagement, could 
hardly credit the statement, having thought that the taking 
of these forts would cost us thousands of lives, and it would 
have if the turf could have {)revented shells from dropping 
inside the walls. I thought it worth while to make a trifling 
sketch of this plantation where the crop was most flourishing 
under the walls of Fort Hatteras, as in a year there will not be 
one sf)ccimen left: all that will not be carried away as relics 
will sink and disappear in the sand. They are thinning out 
lay by day. Around Fort Clark they are not so plenty; still 
[uile a number are strewn about, of which a large proportion 
ire not exploded. One of these, a nine-inch shell, I happened 
to find in a pool of water back of the Fort, and upon removing 
the fuse-screw, the powder was found to be perfectly dry so 
ifhat it might have been used again. 

Fort Clark is the Headquarters at present of the forces here, 
.vhich consist of eight Companies of our Regiment (two remain- 
ng at Newport News) and a Company of Regulars, the latter 
loiiig garrison duty in Fort Hatteras. Our Regiment is equally 
livided between this post and (-\imp Wool, two miles up the 
Sound, Lieutenant-Colonel Betts, commanding. 

I September loth. 

Fort Clark is not so considerable a fort as Hatteras, but in 
5omc ways more interesting. One of the Columbiads in it is 
lismountcd, the trunnions knocked off and the carriage shat- 
ered beautifully, an evidence of rough handling Fort Hatteras 
•an not show, though it sustained the heavier fire, as is proven 

49 



THE LONG ROLL 

by the greater number of shells around it. But the chief thing 
of interest to me is an old French cannon, a brass field-piece 
cast in Strasburg, 1761, and it is consequently just one hundred 
years old. An old Revolutionary hero evidently and one that 
must have played his part to our advantage more or less, or he 
would not be here now to change hands again on this his cen- 
tennial year. The piece has the old-fashioned handles, of course, 
and is lettered and otherwise ornamented with scrolls and 
designs. The crown of fleur-de-lis on the base is excellent, and 
would not be uninteresting to art students. Altogether, it has 
a very quaint and ancient appearance beside the two Dahlgren 
guns in the fort, which, though similarly mounted, are devoid 
of ornament, and which are now thought to be, as this cen- 
tenarian was when cast, I have no doubt, all that is excellent 
in artillery. 

September 20th. 

Yesterday was a right joyful day for our boys, for early 
in the morning we caught sight of the well-known proportions 
of the " S. R. Spaulding " rounding the Cape, and as we had 
not heard a word from the North since we arrived here more 
than a week ago, one may be right sure we were glad at the 
prospect of letters and papers. The expectation was that the 
" Spaulding " would bring the two companies B and K of our 
Regiment from Newport News, but in this we were disappointed, 
for it seems that, by special request of General Phelps, they 
were retained as necessary for the safety of the Post. We hear 
that General Phelps wants General Wool to send the whole 
Regiment back, as McGruder is still threatening. But with 
our Regiment, he deems himself capable of resisting any force 
that McGruder can bring against him. Quite a change in 
the General's mind since we first landed at the Post, when he 
called us a set of boys. 

I received five letters and a copy of the St. Paul " Daily 
Press," which last, with one of the letters, was from a Min- 
nesotian at Fortress Monroe, now Sergeant in Company B, 
U. S. Artillery, and a friend of the Zimmermans in St. Paul, 
on whose behalf he was to have hunted me up while at the 
50 



THE LONG ROLL 

News, which purpose he regrets that our sudden removal has 
prevented. One letter was from Sergeant Hodgekins at the 
Rip Raps ; one from Harry Pahner in New York ; one from 
Hudson City, and one from Sister Eva in Mansfield, Ohio. 
So that 1 have heard from several different quarters of the 
globe. 

September 28th. 

Came off guard this morning, which is a more tedious duty 
here than at Newjjort News, simply a camp guard, there being 
no enemy within sixty or seventy miles probably, and from 
these. Camp Wool, two miles above, is an effectual shield, from 
surprise at least. Having then actually nothing of interest to 
occupy my mind during tiie long twenty-four hours off and on 
post, except the novelty of the situation, I turned my attention 
to the natural formation of the sand bank across which our 
chain of posts easily stretches. Above Fort Clark this beach 
or bank is so low as to allow the waves, when they are at all 
high, to wash over it into the Sound, if they have not time to 
disappear in tiie sand, and this sand seems to be composed of 
nothing but shells and shell particles of marine animals, thrown 
there by the waves, and by time and the elements ground to 
powder ; and in this, the body of the beach, there are perfect 
specimens of shells of all sizes, shapes and varieties of color; 
some of them exceedingly beautiful and curious enough to 
interest any one however ignorant or indifferent to such things. 
I have gathered quantities of them and then thrown them away, 
for though I would like to keep some, I know of no one to whom 
I ( ould send them. I have seen a drinking-cup here covered 
!)> a variety of these smaller shells, and it can be said to be 
>i iiamented by Nature's self. But if not more beautiful, per- 
1 ips more interesting, are the living inhabitants of the sand. 
The sand-crabs or spiders, I know of no other name, differ 
m size from the largest si)ider to the ordinary lobster, and while 
jn my post yesterday, one farthest oceanward, I had a good 
)|)pc)rtunity to watch their movements and noted some of their 
luaneuvers. 

They live in holes or burrows in the sand, which it is no 

51 



THE LONG ROLL 

trouble for them to dig with their great claws, and to these they 
hie themselves on the approach of the slightest danger. They 
run fast and are very hard to catch, as I found out in trying to 
capture one. I took an opportunity to get between him and 
his burrow and then made for him, but to my surprise, he put 
for the beach, and before I could reach him had flung himself 
into the curling breaker of a great wave. I was surprised at 
this, of course, but more so when on my post again after sun- 
down, to find the beach lined with them, all enjoying the civili- 
zing luxury of a bath. They sat in rows on the beach waiting 
for the next wave to come up and break over them, which 
submergence, it seems, they enjoy with a peculiar pleasure. 
This, then, is the summering place of the crabs, and they were 
only enjoying a customary luxury. The moon rose beautifully 
over the waves later on, and from the way the crabs raced 
around, one would think they were indulging in a social " hop. ' 

The " Susquehanna " has captured another prize to-day, 
the second I have seen hauled in while here. The poor craft 
ran for it, but no go, and she is now at anchor in the Inlet with 
a prize crew aboard. 

The little schooner " Enterprise," at anchor between Fort* 
Clark and Hatteras, is interesting as the prize of our Regiment. 
This is the vessel Colonel Hawkins captured, as before related. 

Monday, September 29th. 

Have just weathered a severe storm, one of frequent occur- 
rence, I presume, on this coast. It commenced to blow heavily 
last Thursday, and with increased vigor Friday ; Saturday 
there was a lull, and now all is quiet again. 

We had in our barracks, last night, three shipwrecked j 
sailors who had been caught in the gale in the schooner " Nep- \ 
tune's Car " (from Carthage, Cuba, with a cargo of sugar for ! 
Philadelphia). They were driven on the breakers about twelve 
miles above this point. They struck about seven o'clock, Friday 
evening, remained fast till one the next morning, with the seas 
washing over them, tearing through the cabin windows and ' 
washing out the lights and playing smash generally. About ; 
52 ! 



THE LONG ROLL 

this time, John Maine jumped overboard with a line and gained 
the shore, and by means of the Hne, all hands, seven men, were 
rescued from their unpleasant if not perilous position. They 
groped around for some time and finally stumbled on to our 
camp, surprised enough, too, at the new state of affairs here. 
Maine was cpiartercd in our bunk last night. He is an intel- 
ligent man and a fine specimen of the American sailor, very 
quiet and unassuming, and, it seems to me, with more earnest- 
ness of character than we usually associate with men of his 
class. The " Neptune's Car " has only shared the fate of 
hundreds that have gone before her on this treacherous coast. 
There are some thirty wrecks visible from this point to Cape 
Henry, not quite destroyed by the elements or buried in the sand. 

Tuesday, October 1st. 

Secured a pass yesterday, and in company of messmate 
Kirwin visited Camp Wool and such other places of interest 
a-s we managed to find on the part of the island we surveyed. 
Came back under arrest, as it seems we had unwittingly strayed 
outside of the outer line of pickets. 

Hrouglit back seven sketches with me, chiefly little rural 
scenes wliicli surprised me here and there during our ramble, 
with a strange nnisty sort of beauty, nestling under the low 
range of verdure barely visible from our camp. 

The trees skirting tlie ocean beach are of a stunted growth 
usually with wide bushy tops; the advance line taking the 
brunt of all the old ocean's gales and protecting a more valu- 
al)le crop of pines and other species on the inner side. In some 
instances, this guard has been overpowered by the storms 
and swept away ; the stems broken off ; the tops buried 
under an avalanciie of sand, through which they now present 
the |)itiful figure of blackened stumps protruding, perishable 
njonunuMits, as it were, of their former selves, when they 
flourished and made things green around them. 

Kverything on the Island seems to be devoid of paint — 
dwellings, barns and windmills, of which latter there are a 
greater number than I supposed were in existence in the whole 

53 



THE LONG ROLL 

country ; so that the houses are all dismal enough and are only 
saved from complete lack of interest by a certain mossy coat 
which forms on everything except the uncompromising sand, 
and lends a gray green tinge, which puts all things here from 
the hand of man, in harmony with Nature in a very short time. 
Wild grapes, larger and richer than many tame varieties 
in the North, are here in great abundance, nourished as much, 
it would seem, by the salt sea breeze as by the juices pumped 
out of the sandy soil by the roots. Figs also grow here, but are 
not yet ripe. I sketched a green fig with its surroundings of 
leaves, the first I have seen in its natural state. It was our 
intention to go as far as the wreck of the " Neptune's Car " 
and then visit friends Hughson and Vanderburg (Company D), 
but this part of our program was spoiled by our arrest and 
peremptory return to Fort Clark. 

Wednesday, October 2d. 

Our camp has just been startled by the intelligence that 
the tug " Fanny " has been captured by the enemy while under 
way with quartermaster's and commissary stores for the 
Twentieth Indiana Regiment at Chicomocomico. Well, we 
have been quiet so long, what if we should have a little excite- 
ment, say I. 

The accounts of the capture of the " Fanny " seem to be 
confused, but all agree that her crew, consisting of nine or ten 
men of our Regiment, with a larger number of the Twentieth, 
were taken prisoners. She was surrounded by two or three of 
the enemy's schooners, so reads one version ; was shamefully 
deserted by her sailing master, was run aground and so com- 
pelled to surrender, but not without first putting seven balls 
into one of the schooners, out of the nine she fired, and then 
throwing as many stores overboard as possible before being 
taken. The other story runs : the " Fanny " was taken with 
all on board, by three small gunboats, while on a shoal unloading 
in boats, opposite Colonel Brown's camp at Chicomocomico 
and without making any attempt at resistance. 

One of our men captured was a messmate of mine, Beith 

54 



THE LONG ROLL 

by name, a good enough fellow, but lazy. He could never be 
made to drill as an infantry soldier, and actually compelled 
his superior to detail him for artillery duty whenever it w'as 
re(|uiro(l, it being impossible to do anything else with him — 
hence his position as gunner on board the " Fanny " when 
captured. 

While at Newport News, I had once carefully washed a 
vest, a portion of our full-dress uniform, and hung it on some 
bushes back of the tent to dry. Meanwhile I was detailed for 
some kind of duty, and when I came back the vest was gone, 
and not a person in our mess seemed to know where it had gone 
to. Now, as it was impossible to appear on dress-parade without 
a vest, I naturally became somewhat anxious to know what 
had become of it, and failed not to stew and brew about the 
missing article of clothing and inquire of every one thereabout 
for it, and to search high and low, all in vain, imfil, it being 
nearly time to fall in for Parade, it occurred to Beith, that he 
had taken .some one's vest from behind the tent with which to 
patch his patitalootis — Je-ru-sa-lem ! Well — allhougli Beith was 
heavy, in fact built like an o.x, and he could have made nothing 
of me with one sweep of his huge fist as easily as an elephant 
with one step of his foot, supreme passion will sometimes, for 
just one sublime moment, usurp the place of strength. I struck 
Beith and knocked him over. That is, I sui)pose, I made him 
lose his e(|uilil)rium and he tumbled over, very nearly, by the 
way, taking the tent with him as he fell, with all the appurte- 
narucs tliereunto belonging. What would have become of me 
hiid Hcith been made angry by his fall, I shall never know, 
for it happened tiiat Lieutenant Russell passed just then, and 
had us both put in the guard-house for fighting. But Beith, 
with that presence of mind which I guarantee stood him in 
good stead on the " Fanny," restraining any hasty action 
calculated to roil the temper of the enemy, did not neglect on 
this ociasion to put a pack of cards in his pocket, which, as 
soon as we were safe in the guard-house, we proceeded to 
discuss, continuing with great animosity, until we were released 
the next morning. 

55 



THE LONG ROLL 

Sunday, October 5th. 

As I write, our Regiment and the Twentieth Indiana are 
on Dress Parade in front of Fort Clark. I have been excused 
from attendance on account of a forced march from here last 
Friday night to the relief of the Twentieth, which was then 
supposed to be hemmed in and fighting its way through a force 
of the enemy landed below it, to cut off its retreat to this point. 
About four o'clock Friday afternoon. Captain Jardine came in 
hot haste from Chicomocomico with the intelligence that the 
Twentieth was attacked and surrounded at that place and its 
retreat cut off. By five o'clock our detachment marched off 
up the beach, the " Monticello " at the same time steaming 
with us on the ocean side. The " Coses " and the " Putnam," 
two vessels of light draught, were to have gone up the Sound, 
and why they did not I can not comprehend. These vessels 
were made ready for action, and considerable indignation was 
felt by the men on board, as well as by us on shore, at their 
inactivity. At Camp Wool we were joined by Colonel Betts' 
command, and with the exhilarating idea of going to the rescue, 
all went merrily till about midnight, when the rapid march in 
the sand, which sank under us at every step to a depth of three 
or four inches, began to tell on us. 

It was a very romantic march to me. After passing the 
long open beach above Camp Wool, we entered woods more 
solid than any on the lower part of the Island, and the night 
being extremely dark, I could at times scarcely distinguish two 
file-leaders ahead. But the weariness soon became oppressive, 
and when the canteen gave out, the men began to drop. I 
asked my companion for a drink once, for my tongue seemed 
to be parched; it was refused and I did not ask again, but 
Contented myself with chewing the leaves of the overhanging 
trees, which were covered with a heavy dew. When we had 
made thirteen miles, the column halted and we turned in as 
best we could under the trees. As I was, by this time, suffering 
from an unusual degree of thirst, I could not think of sleep, 
but with cup and canteen, sallied out in search of water, hoping 
my good fortune would lead me to some habitation with a well, 
56 



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Old French C.innon at Fort Clark 




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Dismounted Cim at Fort Clark 



THE LONG ROLL 

hut there was no such luck for me. It is true I fell into a sort 
of a marsh, after a half-hour's groping in the intense darkness, 
but as the water was not only lukewarm but brackish, I did 
not feel much relieved. I returned to our bivouac much dis- 
gusted, wrapped my overcoat about me, and slept .soundly until 
morning. 

I awakened, stiff from the fatigue of the night previous 
and with a teeth-chattering chill caused by the sand, which, 
however dry and hot in the sun, is cold and damp at night. 
A little *' I)oui)le-quick " set this matter right and after a march 
of three or four miles, we met the Indiana Company, or rather 
came upon them by Cai)e Ilatteras Light House. To this 
point they had retreated from Chicomocomico, fearing a force 
would land below them and cut them off, and as they had not a 
single piece of artillery with which to reply to the Rebel gun- 
boats (.seven in all), I think they did wisely in not attempting 
a stand. They lost some seventy-five men, with, of course, 
everything in the shape of camp equipage. It seems that, while 
endeavoring to save as much as possible of their property, they 
were sur[)rised by a land force from above, and in their dis- 
organized state could offer no resistance. Their Sergeant-Major 
is reported to have killed a Captain, and their Major to have 
shot one or two of the men. The Sutler was ordered to stop 
by a squad, but he took to his heels and ran the gauntlet of 
seven bullets. 

We have since been informed by .some of the inhabitants 
of Chicomocomico that the enemy pursued the Twentieth 
until told that a force was on the way to re-enforce it, and by 
this means picked up stragglers and all those who were unable 
to keep up during the march of unusual severity. Colonel 
Brown was downhearted at his ill luck and felt sore at Colonel 
Hawkins for having exposed him to disaster without sufficient 
|)n)te<tion. His first words to our Colonel on meeting him, 
were, *' You sent me up there with my hands tied ! " And well 
he might complain, in my opinion, for the policy of having an 
out{>ost some forty miles from its base of suppHes, without a 
cannon or the protection of a gunboat, and within hailing dis- 



THE LONG ROLL 

tance of the enemy, is certainly questionable. It is true, New- 
port News was occupied and held by a Regiment, but that 
Regiment was never for a moment left from under the guns of 
the " Monticello," and here were two light-draught gunboats 
equal to cope with anything the enemy has in these waters, 
and with nothing else to do. These vessels were so unaccount- 
ably inactive on this occasion, however, that perhaps they 
were kept at the Inlet for some reason that I am not able 
to fathom. 

There was certainly every reason in the world to suppose 
they would co-operate with us ; had they done so, we would 
probably have re-occupied Chicomocomico — if not permanently, 
at least long enough to teach the Rebels a lesson ; but as they 
did not, there was nothing for us to do but to turn about, and 
cover the retreat in the same way we did at Big Bethel. 

The " Monticello " was not to be cheated out of her share 
anyway. Steaming up the Atlantic to a position opposite the 
Rebel fleet, she shelled the camp and vicinity in a right lively 
manner. One of her shells, as I watched, either struck one of 
the gunboats or so near it as to perceptibly swing the vessel to 
and fro for a moment. 

The " Monticello " blazed away all the afternoon and then 
landed a force that stayed on shore ail night. This I was 
told by one of the Indiana men who escaped by swimming to 
her, after dodging the enemy through the woods. She returned 
to her station opposite here, this morning. 

We stopped long enough at the Light House to rest our 
men and for me to get my fill of grapes, which were splendid. 
I got a sketch of the Light House, but I did not feel able to 
travel an extra mile or two to ascend, though I very much 
wanted to. The only thing I have in my sketch-book beside 
the Light, is a vine-covered cluster of trees grown in the shape 
of a little Gothic church. 

I can not be blamed for thinking it pretty, for in the 
deep twilight as I saw it, so perfect was it in outline, I could 
easily imagine a little i\'y-covered English church, such as 
is often seen in pictures. 
58 



THE LONG ROLL 

October 9th. 

Information just received that an Indianian is at the house 
of one of the inhabitants, sick from exposure, having passed 
some days in the swamps without food while getting away from 
the Rebs. 

Camp Wool, 
Sunday, October 13th. 

Since my last, the " Spaulding " has made her weekly visit, 
bringing this time, General Mansfield, who is now in command 
here. Tlic first fruit of this change is that our whole Regiment 
is now at Camp Wool, and the Indianians in occupation of 
our old quarters at Fort Clark. Our Company has been 
assigned a very pretty spot for camping-ground, whereon 
we pitched last Friday evening, on a little dry hill just large 
enough for the Comi)any, covered with trees and surrounded 
by a marsh or bog. In this respect it is a small fortress by itself, 
being surrounded by water on all sides but the rear, where we 
have a narrow dry passage to the beach — and even this is 
amply protected by the Company cook-house. 

My messmate and I have pitched our tent on a spot under 
some trees in front of a clear stream of water in the marsh, 
which is very pretty, though I presume not the healthiest in 
the world ; but then, if one is after health, I think it best to 
get off the Island of Hatteras as speedily as possible. There 
are a couple of young wild ducks swimming in the pond as I 
write : they have been coming and going ever since we came, 
evidently much annoyed at our proceedings. I would advise 
these young ducks to fly, if I could quack as they do. 

Wednesday, October 16th. 
General Mansfield has returned to Fortress Monroe, evi- 
dently in pure disgust at the situation, and a Brigadier-General 
(Williams) is in command. This Brigadier does not deem it 
beneath his dignity to make the most of the situation at Hat- 
teras, or of his authority as Commander of a Regiment and a 
half, for of all the disciplinarians in the world, he is the most 

59 



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THE LONG ROLL 

" disciplinious." The following routine of exercises was read 
on Dress Parade last night, and has been to-day entered upon : 

Reveille . _ _ 

Constant exercise under arms until Fatigue 

Call 
Breakfast Call 

Dress Parade _ _ _ 

Guard Mount 

Morning Drill . _ _ 

Dinner _ _ _ 

Drill 
Drill 

Dress Parade _ _ _ 

Supper _ _ - 

Inspection of Arms 
Tattoo _ _ _ _ 8 " 

Taps _ _ _ 8:30 " 

This is indeed a bill of fare for every day in the week, 
including, I presume, Sundays. Still there may be a grain 
of wisdom in it all, for this constant activity, although harass- 
ing, must be healthy, and as long as we must occupy this 
sand-bank, health is the main thing. 

Five sails, said to be Rebel gunboats from up the Sound, 
were in sight yesterday, and it may be that to guard against 
surprise is one motive that prompted Williams in this severe 
order of exercise. Aside from this, we are better quartered 
now than ever, and are pretty well fed. We have just been 
furnished with new tents, which are generally pitched end to 
end back of the old ones, thus furnishing quarters doubly as 
commodious as usual. 

Fort Clark, 
Sunday, October 20th. 

The fact is, Camp Wool was more pretty than healthy. 
One hundred and twenty-five sick at the hospital, of whom 
three died while there. Had to retreat. Struck tents yesterday 
60 



THE LONG ROLL 

morning and arrived at Fort Clark in a heavy rainstorm. 
Most of our men got soaking wet. I got in with some Indi- 
anians and had a most exceUent cup of coffee. Got our tent 
pitelied yesterday afternoon, and also a floor j)ut in it, so that 
we enjoyed a splendid night's rest. 

Our Child of the Regiment is not the graceful and bewitching 
Vivandiere we see in pictures, is not a girl at all in fact, but a 
boy — and an Irish boy at that, if one can trust the name, which 
is John Murphy. He is nine years old and believes he has a 
mother somewhere, and that he had a father once, though of 
this fact John ^lurphy is not certain. 

Our Orderly, while in New York recruiting, enlisted one 
Thomj)son (now Corporal Thompson of our Company), for- 
merly of the Twelfth New York Militia, then just from the 
seat of war, and to him he found Johnny clinging, and with 
Thompson and the Sergeant, Johnny came to Newport News, 
after having shared the fortunes of the Twelfth during their 
three or four months' service. Thompson found the boy in 
Washington originally, growing wild, at any rate, not being 
able to give any account of himself, and since then has ever 
cared for him kindly. He keeps him as clean as a pin, and does 
not allow him to swear. A good ending may be a questionable 
propliecy from this doubtful begimiing, but stranger things 
have hap[)ened. If he is a diamond from the rubbish-heap, 
he is a tough one, that is certain. On the late march to the 
Light House, he kept up with the Regiment every step of the 
way, carrying two haversacks and a canteen, and sleeping at 
night uiider cover of Thompson's blanket, enduring everything 
with greater cheerfulness than did many of his grown-up com- 
rades. 

Monday, October 21st. 

Fort Clark is not now what it was when here last, for the 
restless energy of General Williams has been more conspicuous 
than at Camp Wool, for while we have been drilled in and out 
of .sea.son, the Indianians have been kept equally busy at a 
breastwork of sand in barrels, and turf, which now extends 
across the whole Island, and rumor has it that this indomitable, 

61 



THE LONG ROLL 

unconquerable, infernal Brigadier intends to cut a canal outside 

of this work from the Atlantic to the Pamlico. Then let the 

ten thousand North Carolinians come on — if a storm, that is, 

should not in the meantime, both batter down his works and 

fill up his canal ! _ 

October 26th. 

Among the letters received by last mail was one from 
Sergeant Hodgekins at the Rip Raps. The Sergeant mentions 

among other matters the fact of one , a deserter 

from McGruder's forces, having been released by the General's 
orders and allowed to go North. It was through this man, 
I learned, that McGruder had really been in earnest about 
attacking us on the night of the Seventh of August last. That, 
with that intention, he had marched from Yorktown with 
all his available forces, some seven thousand men fully equipped 
for an attack on our works, carrying, among other things, 
one hundred scaling-ladders ; but that, when within some five 
miles of our post, he had called a council of war, which deter- 
mined the taking of it impracticable, or if not, at least so to 
hold ; so he marched by us and burned the village of Hampton, 
hoping thereby to draw out either Phelps or Butler. 

That Phelps was prepared and ready to receive his old 
classmate warmly, I have some personal knowledge, having 
been on the inner guard during the night, and posted where 
I could overlook the General's headquarters. About dark, 
the " Savannah " moved up the stream and took up a position 
opposite the water-battery. At eleven o'clock, two brass can- 
non came up from the Fort by express, and during the night 
the General was about alone, moving quietly as a shadow 
from place to place. He was leaning over the breastworks 
when the flames from Hampton lighted up the sky, and he 
turned to a soldier on post and said, " Some one must be very 
drunk to do that," after which, I am told, he went to his quar- 
ters and to bed. 

Phelps had expected an attack this time. The day before 
he had taken an unusual interest in drilling the artillery squads, 
and had the infantry exercised in all the probable movements 
62 



THE LONG ROLL 

of repelling the enemy, and besides the usual twenty-four hours' 
notice to quit, which McGruder invariably sends, " there are," 
Beith had heard the General say, " more signs of an attack 
now than ever before." It was while McGruder was burning 
Hampton that the man deserted, managing to steal away 
toward Fortress Monroe, giving Butler information of forces, 
movements, etc. 

Monday, October 28th. 

Our Company seems to be not only unfortunate in the 
choice of officers, but in the officers chosen for us as well. 
Captain Coppault, certainly a splendid drillmaster and with 
every outward appearance of a soldier, turns out a failure in 
the field, and has resigned. Lieutenant Russell is not much 
better, and perhaps ought to resign. Flemming is the best of 
men, but too good a fellow for a disciplinarian, and our First 
Sergeant is so ridiculously boyish that all his discipline loses 
its effect. Second Sergeant Peret, the slave of a clique which 
runs the Company, dares not say his soul is his own, and not 
an intelligent officer in our tribe, except it be Corporal Davis 
of the C'olor Guard, and he, being an artist who cares nothing 
for this military business except for the subjects it furnishes 
his pencil, is neither appreciated nor understood. And now 
we are to have one Barnard for our Captain. This man, for 
shooting a subordinate in the First New York Volunteers, 
had to fly for his life, but instead of resigning, he was trans- 
ferred to this Regiment. Colonel Hawkins refused to recognize 
him, however, and he is, in consequence thereof, under arrest. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Betts has assigned Barnard to our Company 
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Captain Cop- 
pault. 

It does not suit the temper of our fellows to be commanded 
much, anyway ; and for one of our own Regiment even, unless 
he carried a pretty strong hand, it might be an unpleasant task 
to take hold of Company I, and that being the case, the feeling 
of the Company as a whole can easily be imagined. The idea 
of being controlled by a man for whom most of us felt an 
abhorrence, seemed entirely intolerable. This feeUng, sharpened 

63 



THE LONG ROLL 

by the notion that we would be submitting to another indignity 
put upon us, assisted by the contemptuous opinion we held of 
Barnard as to his bravery, combined to give the Captain a 
reception such as perhaps no other officer had ever before had 
from his subordinates. A variety of insults were heaped upon 
him openly, the moment he entered our quarters, and last 
Thursday, when he came out to take command, the Company 
refused to a man to obey his orders. And this, too, after he had 
made a speech to the effect that the insulting remarks he had 
heard must be stopped, and that he would shoot another man 
under the same circumstances, etc. ; but all in vain — our boys 
insisted that they did not know him and would not obey, and 
he was obliged to retire, leaving the command to Lieutenant 
Russell. 

During that day he was burned in eflSgy, a caricature was 
made on his tent, and a variety of greater indignities suggested, 
should he ever attempt to take command. On Dress Parade, 
a general order was read assigning him to our Company with 
every circumstance of name and rank, which only served to 
exasperate our men the more. Russell did all he could in a few 
remarks, laying down the law, but his little speech was instantly 
followed by three cheers for Russell and three groans for Bar- 
nard, and that night the Company's quarters seemed a perfect 
bedlam, so that the poor man dared not step out of his tent. 
This was the last of Captain Barnard. In the morning, the 
Major sent in a request that the Company cease their demon- 
strations, as Captain Barnard had already sent in his resignation. 

A rumor to the effect that we are to proceed to Chicomo- 
comico at once is strengthened by the fact that the cooks are 
preparing two days' rations, by order of General Williams. 

Camp Wool, 
Friday, November 8th. 
We are again at Camp Wool in our old Company Quarters, 
but expect to be back at Fort Clark to-morrow. Comments 
on these tedious and objectless counter-marchings between the 
two places, I do not care to indulge in, for fear it might work me 
64 




1tt» 



The Hut Picket 




In the Hut 



PLATE Xn 




ht.f 



The Windmill Picket at Hatteras 



PLATE XIII 



THE LONG ROLL 

up to too great an indignation. Suffice it to say, that our 
General docs not seem to be of one mind two minutes at a time. 
He is apparently at child's play with a lot of wooden soldiers, 
no sooner having them arranged in one way, than he wishes 
to see how they will look in another, and so he keeps them 
constantly on the move. 

Day before yesterday, I was detailed for the Hut Picket 
with some twelve more of our Company, under Sergeant Hill. 
The hut now used as the advance picket station on the Island 
is an old wrecking-house built of poles and reeds, and it is an 
indifferent protection from frost, wind or rain, as I have to 
some extent discovered. During the day, one man on post 
is sufficient, as he can sweep the open sand-bank for a distance 
af six or eight miles, but at night, it is necessary to have a string 
>f guards across the Island. 

The day passed very comfortably around the fire, which, 
tradition says, has never been out since the hut has been in 
ISC as a picket-house. There we sat and slept and smoked 

II 1(1 chatted away the hours, until it was time to place the 
iK).sts for the night. 

The wind set in strong from the Northeast that night, 

ind it was not only very cold, but in sweeping down the open 

sand-bank it carried with it a constant storm of fine sand, 

.vliich pelted away unmercifully all night long. The sand 

.vas carried along with such force that whenever it struck an 

xjiosed part of face or hands, it tingled or stung like Virginia 

nn^(juitoes, or the bite of horse-flies in cloudy weather, so 

li.it I found it necessary to draw my cap down over my eyes 

t> protect them from the continual danger of having them put 

)iit. I found my time on post that night more tedious and 

iiiplcasant than that duty has ever been before, and that I 

va■^ not an exceptional ca.se may be inferred from the fact 

hat one of the men on post after me, called for a relief after 

III hour's time, declaring himself incapable or unwilling to 
taiul it. A .solilier has the absolute right to call for relief if he 
i'l'U it impossible to keep awake, or from any other cause feels 

elf unable to guard his post. To add to my misery, I 

65 



THE LONG ROLL 

was plagued with a parching thirst which it seemed impossible 
to satisfy, and when I was relieved, I found not a drop of water 
in the hut in either jug or canteen ; and as the idea of going 
to sleep without something to drink was simply unbearable, 
I took the jug and sallied forth for a fresh supply, although 
it meant a distance of a mile or more. Dark as mud. Lost 
my way. Think I was half-asleep. The creek was swollen to 
treble its usual proportion by the waves of the Atlantic washing 
over the beach and pouring into it. I went up and down the 
stream to find a crossing. I staggered from the want of sleep 
and suflfered with the intense thirst. Finally found a four-inch 
scantling, lost my balance of course, and was in to my waist. : 
Waded over and " found myself where I did not know I was." 
I am persuaded I must have been asleep. After groping around 
for about a half an hour longer, I ran against a house. It looked 
as old unpainted houses always look in the dead of night, as if 
it might contain either sleep or death. I found a well, from 
which I filled myself and my jug. Tried the scantling again, 
but with worse luck this time, for I went in to the armpits. 
Did I know of having tasted anything stronger than water 
for at least eight months, I would say I was drunk. I reached 
the hut wet through and pierced to pieces with the Northeast 
wind, but I had the jug, and I drank again and again as fondly 
as any old toper might a pet beverage of his, and spent the 
rest of the night drying my clothes and looking out for daylight. 

About the time we were relieved from the hut, the " Spauld- 
ing " came in from Fortress Monroe, it was thought to take 
us away from this place, but as it has turned out, to take instead 
the Indiana Company. I expect to be at Fort Clark again 
to-morrow. Would be there now, in fact, were it not that 
I am placed here as camp guard, for three Companies of our 
Regiment are ordered down there to take the place of the 
Indiana garrison. 

Meanwhile, I am my own lord and master, and have been kill- 
ing time by such employments as reading, writing and drawing ; 
washing, mending and eating ; smoking, lounging and sleeping 
till all these are equally played out, and I can do nothing at all. 
66 



THE LONG ROLL 

November 9th. 

I am here yet and probably will be until to-morrow. I 
would not feel so badly if I only knew how to employ my time. 
The most intensely intereslinj? subject under discussion just 
now with us is tiie question of being kej)t all Winter on this 
unchristian sand-bank. I think, perha{)s, if we could unani- 
mously decide in the negative, the Government might take us 
away. What to do with this place is evidently a puzzle to 
those who ought to know. It must be held, of course, but it 
strikes me tiiere are more ways of holding and blockading 
this inlet than the one now pursued. And as I am at least 
General of these pages, and do likewise command my own 
thoughts, I hope I am not presuming too much by venturing 
to give my opinion. 

I would strengthen Fort Hatteras if need be, and blow up 

Fort Clark. It might have been important to the Rebels, 

who had a navy to contend with, but it can be of no earthly use 

to us ; besides, it is liable to be washed away at any time, 

as the last storm fully proved, which not only swept away the 

camp of the Indianians, but so completely demolished the 

works they had made that hardly a sign of them is to be seen, 

so I am told. This being the case, of what use is it ? Blow her 

up, I say, and leave the Inlet to Fort Hatteras and a couple 

of gunboats. It won't run away, unless washed away by the 

Atlantic. Then let us go, for God's sake, where we can be of 

some service to our country. If we are to be, as it is said, an 

advance guard, it is likely that the expedition just going down 

the coast will give us places enough to hold, more important 

than this, and fighting enough too, if that is wanted, and I, 

for my part, certainly want to see some more active service 

than we get here. 

Fort Clark, 

Tuesday, November 12th. 
I finally got away from Camp Wool last Sunday night 
where I had so much time to myself that, when I came down 
here, I nmst needs be immediately put on guard duty, from 
whirli 1 have just been relieved. 

67 



THE LONG ROLL 

The General's works here across the Island have been 
carried by storm, erased, leveled and scattered to the winds ! 
So that the everlasting plowshare, if there were the slightest 
use for such an implement here, might pass over the sand 
without knowing from any evidence except it be intuitive, 
and quite poetical, that it was turning over classic ground. 
And now, the terrible work of demolishment over, the enemy 
has retired to his own country, calmed in a measure and satisfied, 
at any rate, for a while. It must be some satisfaction, however, 
that it is the Atlantic Ocean, and no human power, that has 
beaten General Williams. 

To my notion the same enemy may come again with 
redoubled fury, and it is to be feared more, if the safety of these 
forts is essential to the safety of the country, than the terrible 
ten thousand now mustering on the other side of the Pamlico 
determined to retake Hatteras or die. 

, The " Spaulding " is again in sight, and her decks are 
evidently crowded with troops, whether for this post or not 
we can but guess, but should they be, I presume we will have 
to go back to Camp Wool. If the " Spaulding " only brings 
good news with her troops, I am willing she should bring as 
many as she likes. We have had good news from the South, 
now let us have equally good tidings from the North, and we 
will all " arise and sing." 

The " Monticello," on her way North to-day, just stopped 
long enough to tell us that the result of the naval expedition 
which passed down the coast some time ago has been the capture 
of two forts at Port Royal and the occupation of the City of 
Beaufort, Georgia, which, I presume, is but a prologue to the 
main play destined to be at Charleston. 

Camp Wool (Again), 
November 12th. 
Came oflF guard this morning at Fort Clark, struck tents 
and marched up here and pitched in our old quarters. Have 
a long letter ready for the returning " Spaulding " to my sister 
Eva in Mansfield, Ohio, who is now on her way to our old home 
68 



THE LONG ROLL 

in Minnesota to visit Father, whose health is not as good as usual. 

The "Spaulding" brought the Forty -eighth Pennsylvania, 
who are to take the place of the Indianians, but no news of 
any consequence from the North. No news is better than bad 
news, I suppose, but it seems awfully dull that way — along the 
lines, I mean. 

Thursday, November 14th. 

Have not been stationed at Fort Clark since the date of 
my last writing. Have seen the New York " Tribune " of the 
Eighth. It contains a letter from their correspondent at Hat- 
tertis concerning our troubles in the affair with Captain Barnard, 
and the version given is the popular one with us, and our boys 
are much rejoiced thereat. I saw the correspondent and talked 
with him while he was there, and I particularly liked his quiet 
and pleasant manner. He justifies our Company for refusing 
to obey Captain Barnard and the feeling of the Regiment in 
general, and he does full justice to Colonel Hawkins, who is 
yet under arrest, it is presumed, for insubordination. Our 
Colonel has, by his spirited action in this matter, regained 
much of his one-time lost popularity. 

Captain Barnard has nominal command, but leaves the 
active duties of his position to his subordinates, being, in fact, 
rarely seen in our Company quarters. The feeling is so strong 
against him, that should he ever go into action with us, I would 
fear for his life. 

Afternoon. 

Our gunboats are all outside on some business or other, 
and, as usual, when such is the case, the enemy is " snooking" 
around. As I write, a gunboat of theirs is disappearing on the 
horizon, evidently reconnoitering. She came within five miles 
of us and .sent one of her compliments at Hatteras in general, 
for it set»med to be designed for no place in particular. Tom 
Corbin "of Ours" replied with a couple of shots, but they 
were as compliments returned. It was amusing to see a couple 
of fishing-boats at our little wharf run up their canvas and 
make for other waters. They evidently did not want to be 
in the way in case of a " little afiFuir." 

69 



THE LONG ROLL 

We have heard distant firing all day from up the Sound, 

probably from Roanoke Island or vicinity, where the enemy 

is said to be in force. , ,^., 

Sunday, November 17tn. 

On the Hut Picket again. We came down this morning 
via Pamlico Sound, before as fine a breeze as ever drove a 
" Cooner," and in a sailboat which was yesterday at Roanoke 
Island in the service of the Confederate States of America. 

About daybreak, the Windmill Picket below us discovered 
a sail evidently from some point on the mainland, and when 
within haihng distance the strange craft was easily persuaded 
to come ashore. The single mariner proved to be a negro, Ben, 
from Roanoke Island, who started the night before and suc- 
ceeded in getting out to sea without being observed, and sailing 
all night, had, as he calculated, reached Hatteras this morning. 

Fortunately for the success of his adventure, the weather 
was very heavy during the night. His boat had taken in so 
much water that he had to bail out four times, and he was wet 
to the skin and very cold. This was why the Windmill Picket 
brought him down to us, for they being housed, have no fire. 
It proved quite a treat for us during the slow morning hours, 
for we did not fail to get from him all he knew, and this was 
not a little, for he proved himself a person of more than ordinary 
intelligence, and he answered our questions in a way that con- 
vinced us that he was reliable. 

According to Ben, there are on Roanoke Island three Regi- 
ments, two from this State and one from Georgia, and among 
these men are many who serve unwillingly, if not under com- 
pulsion. There was an order for an advance on us last week, 
but so many " skulked " to get rid of the expedition that it 
was given up. The enemy is fortifying the Island, erecting 
batteries and mounting guns. They have five gunboats, among 
which the " Fanny " is one of their best. The little brass piece 
she carried while " one of ours " has been replaced by a heavier 
gun. One of the Regiments wear overcoats like ours, thanks 
to the Indianians. They are suppUed with Indian meal, bread 
and coffee, and are paid in Confederate State scrip, of which 
70 



THE LONG ROLL 

Ben gave a specimen to Corporal Downy. It is printed on a 
sort of brown manilla paper and very poorly executed. Ben 
was owned by a man in North Carolina who has two sons in 
the army at Roanoke, one of whom Ben was serving while 
there. 

We anxiously questioned him as to any one being found 
answering to the description of our Sergeant John McGhnchy. 
Friends had hoped that he might have been picked up by some 
one on the Lsland. Tlie last we saw of him, he was in a small 
boat on the Sound, and Ben having heard nothing, we are 
forced to believe that he was driven out in the gale and swamped. 

When the new guard came on, we took passage in Ben's 
" Cooner " and sailed with a " spanking breeze " to camp, 
which is decidedly more pleasant than the heavy walk through 
the eternal sand. 

The " Spaulding " is in with another mail. Three letters 
for me and some papers. Good news from both North and 
South. We have now the complete details of the taking of 
Port Royal, also accounts of a victory in Kentucky at Pikes- 
ville, where four hundred Confederates are said to have been 
killed and two thousand prisoners taken, among whom were 
two Generals, Williams and Haws. The Privateer " Sumter " 
is captured, and Mason and Slidell taken in the "Nashville." 
" So much for Buckingham." 

Thursday, November 21st. 
Four of our Companies, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel 
Betts, yesterday engaged a like force under Major Kimball, 
and got " licked like the Devil," all owing to the incompetency 
of the Second Lieutenant of Company A commanding the 
Reserve. We advanced within a quarter of a mile of Kimball's 
force. A company of skirmishers, to reconnoiter, advances, 
deploys and opens fire on Kimball. He returns the fire. We 
advance to the skirmish line, who then close intervals. Forward 
in column sustaining a heavy fire from the enemy. At a distance 
of an eighth of a mile, he charges on us with a yell. Colonel 
Betts promptly commands, " About face ! Double-quick ! " and 

71 



THE LONG ROLL 

gallops back to take charge of the Reserve, whose volley is to 
drive the enemy and behind which we are to re-form. But 
the Reserve, where, oh where was it ? Why, bless us, when the 
order " About face " was given, they turned also and ran so 
much faster than any of us that there was no stop to them, 
and so our retreat was a total rout. Thus endeth the first lesson. 
Another exchange of compliments yesterday between a 
Rebel Gunboat and one of our tugs. As they both seemed 
anxious to keep out of range, it is presumed that no one was 
hurt. 

Monday, November 2oth. 

Have just come in from another twenty-four-hour picket 
duty, this time on what is called the " Church Picket," which 
is accounted one of the best to be on in cold weather, and yet 
I feel the effects of what little sleep I got. There seems to be 
something about this infernal sand-bank calculated for " chills 
and fever," for even in hot weather the sand is damp and cold 
and will chill through any frame that must recline on it. 

Brought three sketches back from this siege : one of the 
picket station, one of the church with the graves of the members 
of our Regiment buried here, and one of the little schoolhouse. 

About eight o'clock last night, it fell to my lot to escort 
two of our men, found outside the lines without the countersign, 
to Camp Wool, a distance of a good mile. Coming back it was 
so dark in some parts of the woods that I could hardly see my 
hands before me. And as a sentinel was fired upon a day or 
two ago under circumstances which would seem to prove spies 
about, if not in our very camp, I hope I will not be blamed 
if I kept my musket at an easy " ready " with a sharp look-out 
even on the pigs and cows that happened along the lonely way. 

Old Stein lives close by the Church Picket, a grizzly, bearded, 
salt-sea fossil, about sixty years of age, and still following 
actively his calling, that of a fisherman, as indeed is every one 
else on the Island. He comes out to smoke and chat with us 
occasionally, and the following information I have gathered 
from his conversation. 

He was born on the Island, and lived where Fort Hatteras 
72 









% 




4«^ 



v;\ •, > 



/■ 






^^ 



A Hattoras Landscape 




-. ♦ 







Tin- Church Picket 





1 "*t 






riir MiT,i>l\voi-k III Tn-iil 



rS2 



'i, » '• 




.^i 



V 



V 



Church Picket at Trent 



PLATE XVI 




,r\-(ir1 



Moonlight Scene at Trent 
Bi/ John Davis 




On Duncan (reek 



PLATE XVII 



THE LONG ROLL 

is now, until he married. Before the " great flood of *46,** 
the open beach between Camp Wool and Fort Hatteras, also 
tliat between Trent and Duncan Creek (the one I fell into 
twice in one night), was as flourishing with vegetation as any 
other part of the Island. A stray Northeast wind prevailed 
for two weeks without cessation, and swelled the breakers to 
such a size that they finally washed over these parts, carrying 
with every one, immense volumes of water into the Sound, 
and tearing up great trees and every other vestige of vegetation. 
Finally, the waters of the Sound raised to such a height that 
a great part of the Island was submerged and the inhabitants 
were compelled to take to the sand-hills that had been thrown 
up by the winds along the Atlantic side. And when the waters 
subsided, Hatteras Inlet was cut out and the fairest portion 
of the Island laid under a desert of sand in which vegetation 
has not yet been able to show any signs of revival. From 
whence, Mr. Stein comes to the remarkable conclusion that 
tlie Island of Hatteras is fated ; " for," said he, " this Island 
came out of the sea, and it will go back to the sea ; in another 
age, it will be only a reef like those on the coast of Florida." 
Some time ago, I found an old Geography, published, I 
think, in 1833, which was incomprehensible to me then, but 
which I now find explained by Mr. Stein. That work described 
these Islands on the coast of North Carolina, but no Hatteras 
Inlet. Ocracoke was then the only Inlet navigable for vessels. 
Now this is made plain, and the reputation of the old work 
re-established. *' And so much learned in one day," I remarked 
as the old man put a fresh coal on his pipe and went to see to 
hi.s nets in the Sound. 

Wednesday, November 27th. 

One of Sergeant McGlinchy's party (of three, sometime 
since drowned), Thomas M. Golding, was a few days ago found 
washed ashore opposite Fort Clark, and he was buried in a 
little sand-hill back of our quarters. The members of his 
Company (F) have taken great pains to fence in and decorate 
his grave, with such materials as Nature has at hand, in a very 
beautiful and artistic manner — a touching tribute to his mem- 

73 



THE LONG ROLL 

ory, as well as evidence that his comrades feel his loss and knew 
his worth as a man. I knew Golding well. He was one of the 
twenty -four " of Ours " at the Rip Raps, where I learned to 
respect him and became acquainted with some points in his 
history. A carpenter as well as an engineer by trade, he had 
once been in the employ of the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad 
Company, and for a time had run an engine on that road. If 
my memory serves me, he had known Squire Hoisington in 
Chicago. He was one of the best of men, strictly temperate, 
and moral in all his ways. Never noisy or ofiFensive, but an 
earnest soldier as well as man. And — here he is buried on Hat- 
teras Bank. In the world, of course, but still it does seem a 
strange fate to be buried here. 

Trent, November 28th. 
Thanksgiving Day, 1861. 

Having had it in my mind for some time to visit a detach- 
ment of our men at Trent, I applied to Captain Barnard for 
a pass. Now, it seems, two men had just come in from Trent 
under arrest, whom it was necessary to replace, and so I was 
ordered to report there for duty instead of pleasure, and here 
I am. 

Our men, about one hundred, are encamped around a church 
which they have fortified by throwing up a small breastwork 
so as to enclose the front or entrance to the building, and so 
make of it a sort of barrack for the garrison, and also command 
the road. Meanwhile, the church is used only as a guard-house. 
The men are camped around in huts constructed of pine logs 
simply thrown into a letter A and covered with pine fir, which 
furnishes a very rude comfort indeed, but more warmth, I 
am told, than the church building. 

This serves at once as our advance post on the Island, 
it being only about five miles from Camp Wool, and as a pro- 
tecting post for the inhabitants in case of raids of the enemy. 

November 29th. 
I am to-day on picket about a mile from Camp, and vaj 
post is on the road that is the most advanced on the Island. 

74 



THE LONG ROLL 

Picket duty is not very strict here, it being only necessary to 
look out for the enemy. Sketched a little scene on the Pamlico 
on the inside of an envelope back. It might be made into a 
moonlight scene and a pretty one. 

Camp Wool, 
Saturday, November 30th. 
Back again. I was taken sick on post at Trent, between 
twelve and two this morning, and was relieved from duty. 
Tiie fact is, I had indulged in too many baked sweet potatoes. 
I offered to stay and make up my time this morning, but the 
Corporal of the guard would not let me. When I arrived at 
Camp, I found the two men from below, reported for duty, 
so I was ordered back to my Company. I did not come away, 
however, without a sketch of the breastwork and also of the 
Trent Mill. Have been excused from duty to-day, and have 
spent the time in quarters as it hath seemed good unto me. 

Sunday Evening, December 1st. 

Thain and I have spent a pleasant evening with Corporal 
Davis and Sergeant Jackson in their tent. Davis is our artist, 
and possesses extraordinary genius for one so young. He was 
in the employ of the American Banknote Company when the 
war broke out, and it opened such a field for adventure and 
study that he could not resist. I took great pleasure in looking 
over his sketches from the recent trip to Ocracoke, which by 
the way was not only romantic, but adventuresome. Davis 
accompanied the expedition as artist, and relates that they were 
chased in a sailboat by two Confederate steamers, but by skill 
of the pilot and his intimate acquaintance with the waters, 
they succeeded in getting behind a reef and out of range. Davis 
might have given more information quite as interesting, as 
to the whereabouts of the enemy, their number, strength and 
doings, but he had been instructed not to do so. 

He visited the camping-ground of the Twentieth Indiana 
at Chicomocomico, and explained the situation with the help 
of an excellent sketch. He thinks Colonel Brown, with more 
presence of mind, might have stood his ground. 

75 



THE LONG ROLL 

Davis gave me some instruction in my favorite pastime. I 
need to shew more decisive shading in my pencilings, make my 
objects stronger and in sharper relief. He was pleased with 
my moonlight scene from Trent, touched it up some and then 
made a small drawing for me from the idea it had furnished. 

Wednesday, December 4th. 

Yesterday I was on guard at the lower windmill near Com- 
pany E's quarters back of our camp. The weather was 
extremely cold, damp and disagreeable during the day and 
night. This morning, when the sun came out over the 
Atlantic warm and strong, the vapory masses were soon rolled 
away in pleasant shapes, clouds which in the distance took on 
warm and brilliant hues. I sketched the scene of our camp 
a little after sunrise, from a small square window near the 
roof of the mill, from which one has a bird's-eye view of several 
miles of Hatteras Bank, and out over the Atlantic with Camp 
Wool in the foreground. At this time in the morning, the scene 
is an animated one. The wharf is thronged with the fishermen 
selling fish to the soldiers. Breakfast fires are smoking. Soldiers 
are at early drill, if they can't get out of it ; bugles and drums 
sound this call and that ; everywhere activity and life, which 
produces a very pleasant impression after a cold night on guard, 
with only shivery snatches of sleep in a rickety old windmill 
on Hatteras Bank. 

These windmills, by the way, are about the only things 
picturesque on the Island, and as objects of study for an ama- 
teur artist they are admirable. I have sketches of them all, 
I believe, from here to Chicomocomico, taken from all possible 
points of view, for they are all built after one plan. 

The " Spaulding " arrived to-day, bringing the ever-wel- 
come mail and the paymaster. News from home is discouraging. 
My Father is still down and giving no signs of improvement. 
I have hopes of seeing him, in spite of the crooked channels 
this life of mine has run into ; but his last words when we parted 
that we would " not meet again in this world " come to my 
mind with a heavy weight of foreboding. I have thought at 
76 



T HE LONG ROLL 

times that my life, if either, was the one doomed in his mind, 
but he may have known more of himself than he wished to tell. 

Thursday, December 5th. 
Quite a skirmish between Confederate gunboats and our 
own, on the Sound this morning. As many as fifty shots were 
exchanged and tlie enemy came nearer than ever before, without 
being able to induce ours to move from under the guns of the 
forts. It may be obeying orders, but it looks to me as if orders 
were too strictly obeyed on board these vessels of ours. One of 
the Rebel boats was the *' Fanny." 

Saturday, December 7th. 
Lieutenant Cooper, formerly Quartermaster's Sergeant, 
delivered to me a package of drawing-paper and pencils, a 
very acceptable gift from Frank Hughson of Fortress Monroe. 

Sunday, December 8th. 
On the last trip of the " Spaulding," came a lady, Mrs. 
Cameron, Mother of Corporal Robert Cameron of Company 
A. She came to nurse him, having heard of his severe and 
dangerous illness, but she was too late. He was buried last 
Sunday beside my friend Golding. All we could do was to 
give our most heartfelt sympathy. 

Camp Winfield, 
Wednesday, December 11th. 
Companies A, B, C, H and " Ours " struck tents at Camp 
Wool this morning and we are now about a mile farther up 
the L>^land, on a high sand knoll near Duncan Creek, The new 
camp is to be called " Winfield," and will be commanded by 
Major Kimball. 

Friday, December 12th. 
General Williams, having failed in his breastwork under- 
taking at Fort Clark, the Atlantic Ocean proving too much 
for his military activity, is still bent on having a fort of some 
kind, and he is now engaged in constructing one of no contemp- 

77 



THE LONG ROLL 

tible dimensions either, as the reader of these interesting mem- 
oirs in the days to come may well rest assured. It is of turf 
and sand, and situated on the highest sand knoll near the hut 
on the open beach, where it will serve as an excellent eddying 
point for all the sand in this region to whirl around in a storm, 
which will eventually fill it, and cover it and finally pile itself 
up on it in an immense heap and there be an everlasting monu- 
ment to the great glory of our General. And it seems that we, 
with the Forty-eighth Pennsylvanians, were brought up here 
to work on this fort and not for the sanitary reasons, as we had 
flattered ourselves. We have done our first work to-day. As 
far as the work is concerned, perhaps we had better be doing 
this than nothing; it is only the infernal foolishness of the 
thing that makes it irksome. 

Friday, December 20th, 

The work on the fort goes bravely on, and General Williams 
is every day adding some new laurel to his wreath of glory, 
some new freak of annoyance for us to swear or laugh at, 
according to the mood we happen to be in when it strikes us. 

Half the force is employed on the fort, constantly wheeling 
sand and turf, and the other half is as constantly in motion 
under the order of exercises given out at Camp Wool. 

When our turn comes for the work, no one need fear that 
it is progressing too fast. Our boys will generally get a shovelful 
in the barrow, and then take a rest until the others have all 
done the same; then move along at a snail's pace in single 
file along the string of planks, managing on the way to spill 
nearly all of what little the barrow contained at the start, 
and so on, accordingly varied to meet the lively changes of 
freaks and humors in the men. 

The General, having either surmised or been informed 
that we did not work faithfully, sent our Lieutenant Flemming 
out to us the other morning with some terrible orders. The 
bland Lieutenant took his station smiling in his most good- 
natured way, and as he let it be understood that he did not 
wish to stay any longer than need be, we performed prodigies 
78 



THE LONG ROLL 

of labor for the half-hour that he was with us. He then went 
to the General's quarters with the report that we could not 
possibly do more or work harder. 

But that officer was scarcely out of sight when a number 
of the men were detailed to construct a few pitfalls near the 
walls, arranging boards and brush over them not strong enough 
to bear one's weight, yet sufficient for a cover of sand so as 
not to be perceptible. We hoped the General would fall into 
one of them while we were at dinner, for it was his custom to 
go out at that time, for the purpose of inspecting the work 
done, accompanied by his Staff and Orderly, the latter at 
precisely twelve paces behind him, which distance he is required 
to keep under all circumstances. It is a comical sight to see, 
and more so because the Orderly is a good fellow with an 
appreciation of the ludicrousness of his position, which he 
adds to by a well-guarded mimicry of the General's carriage 
and motions. Our plan worked better than we had hoped. 
It seems the General stumbled into one pitfall the very first 
thing, and had hardly been helped out of that before he fell 
into another. This was such a mortal affront to his state and 
dignity that he has hardly shown himself out of his quarters 
since. There is a report around that he was shot at the other 
evening tli rough a window, but this is hardly probable, for 
General Williams is rather a vexatious than a cruel tyrant. 

Saturday, December 21st. 

From the Reverend Mr. Passavant in Pittsburgh, a friend 
and benefactor of our family, I have received a letter of intro- 
duction to the Reverend Mr. Holman, Chaplain of the Forty- 
eighth Regiment, now camped below us on the creek. Thain 
and I called on him this evening, and spent an hour very 
pleasantly in his quarters. 

John Davis has just returned from another reconnoitering 
trip to the vicinity of Roanoke, and his account thereof is far 
from being devoid of interest. The party was headed by 
Lieutenant Leahy, our Provost Marshal, and consisted of six, 
all told, including an officer of the Regulars. The information 

79 



THE LONG ROLL 

for their guidance was received from the negro Ben, and Davis 
affirms they reached a point much nearer the enemy than on 
their former trip. They were disguised as fishermen and were 
in dangerous quarters, saiHng only by night. At one time, 
however, they ran right under the stern of the " Fanny " in 
broad dayhght. She seemed to be on picket duty at an 
unlooked-for distance from their headquarters. Our men's 
position was a perilous one, but their disguise saved them 
from even ordinary questions. The crew was lazily lounging 
about the deck, evidently finding it hard work to kill time, 
and yet under the stern floated a peaceful little fisherman 
with six muskets and as many revolvers carefully loaded, 
and with three sabers ready at hand, which, had they been 
more curious, might have been the cause of killing more than 
time in one way or another. 

They learned from the inhabitants that the enemy had 
received prompt information of their former trip, as the very 
morning they left, there was a small force after them, and 
our party actually chased three men who were left by this 
force to keep a look-out for them, or stragglers of the same 
kind. The party were all elated over the success of their trip, 
which would seem to indicate that they had more important 
information to communicate to headquarters, though I imagine 
I have noted the most interesting. 

Sunday, December 22d. 
Colonel Hawkins has returned from Fortress Monroe on 
the " Spaulding," where he is said to have done his utmost 
for the Regiment. He was promptly relieved from arrest 
on account of the Barnard affair, and has brought with him 
a battery of three small rifled cannons, a present to the Regi- 
ment from either the corporation or the citizens of New York. 
But lo and behold ! No sooner did General Williams find this 
out than he demanded the use of them for the post as he might 
see fit. Colonel Hawkins refused to let them land, and now I 
presume he will be again under arrest. He goes back, at any 
rate, to Fortress Monroe with the steamer. He was cheered 
80 



^J 



i: 



'^^I'^^iJi 




PLATE XVIII 



Buinside's Fleet at Anoh(jr, February (i, 18G'-2 




^^i^:-^j^- 






Bombardment of Roanoke Island 



PLATE XIX 



THE LONG ROLL 

jnthusiastically by the boys, for " we have all grown to like 
bini better than we once did." 

Christmas Eve, December 24th. 

Little did I dream last year at this time that I would be 
fitting here now, writing up my Journal on this, above all 
ithcrs, the most desolate part of creation. I can hardly realize 
the real, so strangely does it seem interwoven with romance. 
Hut then, here I am, there is no mistaking that fact, nor that 
it is Christmas Eve of the year of our Lord, Eighteen Hundred 
irnl Sixty-one. It may not be as pleasant as it is strange, 
for we are still subjected to the petty tyranny of Williams, 
who .seems to be a monomaniac on fortifications and discipline. 
[Jul even this is doing something, and I am far happier than I 
was at Airs. Simpson's one year ago, brooding over the blank 
prospect then ahead, which has revealed itself so strangely 
since. 

But " Roll "' calls and I must stop writing. 

Eve of Christmas Day. 

It was my intention to spend the day collecting shells and 
war relics for a museum of Mr. Passevant's in Pittsburgh, but 
I failed to get to Fort Hatteras, where I expected to get the 
relics, on account of a channel cut across the bank between the 
two forts by the storm now raging. This channel was quite 
deep and the current so swift that if a person lost his foothold, 
he would certainly be carried out to sea. After getting quite 
wet in attempting to cross it, I gave it up. The channel must 
have been from ten to twenty feet deep, though narrow, for 
we could find no bottom with the longest poles. 

Coming home, Thain and I stopped at the home of Mr. 
Oland, and had as good a Christmas dinner as can be gotten 
on the Island. 

During a similar storm, a tremendous stream of small 
fish either strayed up on the banks or were driven into the 
shoals by sharks, for whom they evidently furnished food. 
The.se fish were of the size of small herring, and their quantity 

81 



THE LONG ROLL 

can be estimated by the fact that every wave washing on the 
beach would leave hundreds of them high and dry on the sand. 
So all we had to do was to provide ourselves with buckets and 
pick them up as fast as we desired. The breakers were soon 
full of sharks, who were evidently leading a life of plenty at 
the expense of this small fry, and several of them were caught 
by a mode of fishing as simple as it was novel and exciting. 
The fishermen provide themselves with lines quite as strong 
if not as heavy as an ordinary clothesline, and to these fasten 
hooks made out of heavy bucket-handles sharpened to receive 
the bait of fist-sized chunks of " salt horse." This simple 
apparatus is then thrown into the sea coil-wise, as a sailor 
throws a line. The sportsman would easily be aware of a bite, 
as it would be apt to throw him off his feet. He must then 
promptly throw the line over his shoulder, and walking, haul 
in as if pulling a canal-boat ; in this way the game is landed, 
snorting and gurgling on the bank, to be dispatched by the 
ready axe. I saw our Lieutenant Flemming bring in one weigh- 
ing from one hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds. Only 
for sport, however, as sharks, I don't know why, are not eaten 
or put to any useful purpose whatever. 

Thursday, December 26th. 
There is a rumor, generally credited, I find, around camp, 
that we are on the eve of an attack. Whether this is more than 
an ordinary camp rumor, I am unable to say. It is claimed to 
come by authority and from Fortress Monroe. " An expedition 
consisting of ten thousand men on flatboats has left Norfolk 
for Hatteras Inlet." So says this rumor, of which to-morrow 
will tell the truth. 

Friday Evening, December 27th. 

Childlike I say, "It is to-morrow," and yet we are noi 
attacked, but the rumor noted last night has grown into " an" 
established certainty." The ten thousand have become twenty 
thousand, and troops are now landing at Chicomocomico. 

Major Kimball and Captain Barnett have been dispatched 
in that direction to gather reliable information. More excite- 



i 



THE LONG ROLL 

ment prevails about it than ever was manifested before, and 
to-night all will be ready for the " Long Roll." Still it is not 
my intention to lose any sleep. 

Wednesday, January 1st, 1862. 

The most eventful year of my existence closed last night. 
I feel like a lost sheep at times, but if one sheep has strayed, 
another has returned to the fold, and that is a comfort. My 
sister Eva is now at home in Minnesota with Father and Uncle, 
and her letters which I receive regularly are extremely interest- 
ing to me.* 

To my new situation I have taken as well as may be, though 
more strange than any I ever dreamed of in my most eventful 
anticipations on leaving home for New York. I get along as 
well as can be expected with my associates, who are in many 
ca-ses rude and sometimes contemptible. As I take no thought 
for the morrow, I am able to give myself up fully to the pleasures 
of seeing, feeling and thinking whenever the routine of duty 
ceases, and it .seems as if what we experience is just enough 
to stimulate this kind of mental activity to the quick. If I 
could ncitlier .see, feel nor think (the sense of hearing one might 
dispense with to advantage in many cases), as too many actually 
seem unable to do in these camps, I think the life on these sands 
would drive me mad. 

Sketching, though I am aware of the primitiveness of my 
cfTorts, furnisiies me nevertheless with an endless source of 
enjoyment. I have read but little during the year, for I have 
had too much to write about. The " Weekly Herald," my 
friend Jack McKensie sends me, and this gives me all I want 
to know of contemporary events, which, it is needless to say, 
are now ou\y war and rumors of war until one is heartily sick 
of the word. We gobbled a few books while at Newport News, 
among which are Scott's " Ivanhoe " and " Kenilworth," 
two of Frrdrica Bremer's stories and a volume of Washington 
Irving's Sketches (an old edition), and these comprise about 

• Tlic Father died on thi.f day iit the old home in Minnesota, though the news did 
not roiirli the l)oy until the thirty-tlrnt of the month. 

83 



THE LONG ROLL 

all my reading worthy of mention. To sum up, as I have been 
in the habit of doing at this time of the year, I have become at 
least a wiser, if not a better man in a year's time. 

Sunday, January 5th. 

This has been a cold, drizzly, rainy, disagreeable Sunday. 
In the afternoon the weather drove me out of camp. Went 
down to George Stein's home, which was full of soldiers and 
asses from both Regiments. Angelina Stein is the attraction. 
She is the only beautiful woman we have seen in this part of 
the country. 

In the evening I paid a visit to Chaplain Holman of the 
Forty-eighth. Thain went with me and we spent a very pleasant 
evening. Mr. Holman gave me a late copy of the " Lutheran," 
Reverend Mr. Passevant's paper published in Pittsburgh, 
which contains a letter from me to him, printed, with a fevv' 
words altered, almost entire. This is the first time my pen 
has appeared in print, and it was quite a pleasant surprise. 
No name is given, but it is stated the letter is from a Swedish 
soldier with our Regiment at Hatteras, which leaves a certain 
result for any curious one, for, as far as I know, I am the only 
Swede in the Regiment. 

Wednesday, January 8th. 

Curious as the fact is, it is nevertheless true that a certain 
kind of Fatigue duty is the only respite we have from work 
nowadays. After twenty-four hours of guard duty, one has 
twenty-four hours of Fatigue, and this, which is usually con- 
sidered work, such as camp chores, etc., is now considered rest. 
I have been on Fatigue to-day and have had nothing to do 
but what is pleasant to me, washing and cleaning up, drawing, 
reading and writing. 

A lot of contrabands came into camp this afternoon, having 
escaped from the main, and were turned over to Lieutenant 
Leahy, the Provost-Marshal. The raggedness of their apparel 
beggars description. Patched until their patches themselves 
were rags, they presented a very grotesque and sorry appear- 
ance. They came from the mouth of the Roanoke River, 
84 



THE LONG ROLL 

tlie head of Albemarle Sound, from the town of Plymouth, 
about one hundred fifty miles from Hatteras Inlet, where 
they were owned by one Jerry Simons. How they succeeded 
in gettiuf^ here from this distance is a wonder to us all. They 
seem to have run right under the batteries of Roanoke Island, 
as there is no other way they could get here, without even 
knowing of their existence until they were fired on by both 
nuisketry and cannon. Fortune in their favor, however, blew 
so strong a gale that, though they were in an open boat, a so- 
called *' Cooner," they were not chased, and reached here 

unharmed. 

Monday, January 13th. 

(General Burnside has come and with him the first instalment 
of his expedition, a score or more of vessels with the ever- 
welcome and familiar " Spaulding " among them. Major 
Kimball is mad with joy, for this season of drill and camp 
routine has been ever against his tastes. While we were out 
on Hatlalion Drill this morning, in the rear of Camp Winfield, 
he brought us into line facing the beach in full view of the 
iieaving armada, and asked ij we ivould wade oid to them or wait 
till they could come in. His joy is almost childish, but we all 
partic'ij)ate in it. 

This afternoon I have been out again on the sand-hills 
to refresh my eyesight with the imposing view of the seemingly 
endless procession of vessels heaving and pitching in the heavy 
sea. There are to be about ninety in all composing the fleet. 
I counted about thirty, and " the cry is still, ' they come.' " 
They are large and small, of all sizes, shapes and conditions, 
from the one-masted sloop to the massive sidewheeler. 

Where we are going, the Lord only knows, but that we 
are going is enough for the present. 

Wednesday, January 15th. 

The fleet seems to have had a fearful time getting in the 

Inlet, on account of the severe storm raging for the past two 

days. Day before yesterday, the Sound was so rough that 

no small boat could come ashore with our mail, which we did 

85 



THE LONG ROLL 

not receive until yesterday. Some of the vessels were roughly 
handled by the gale, but I believe none of them were lost, 
and now the storm is abating. We did not realize the full 
force of the storm at Camp Winfield, being some four miles 
from the Inlet, and sheltered by the belt of woods extending 
three miles below. I know that Duncan Creek overflowed its 
banks by the breakers washing into it, but it was not for some 
time that I learned that the whole fleet had been threatened 
with destruction, and that an oflficer and two men were drowned 
in a desperate attempt to reach the shore in a small boat. A 
large side wheel steamer, I think the *' New York," was thrown 
up high and dry on the South bank of the Inlet. 

No Date. 

We have been in a continual state of excitement since the 
arrival of the fleet and the expectation of orders, and then have 
had to bear the long and tedious delay of the vessels in getting 
over the *' Swash," a shoal of only nine feet of water, and into 
the Inlet. It took some of the larger vessels one, two and even 
three days to work over, and all this expectancy or uncertaint^' 
has destroyed in me all inclination to write. 

General Burnside came ashore this morning, and terminated 
the petty tyranny of General Williams by assuming command. 
With him came Colonel Hawkins, who had deemed it prudent 
to stay aboard the " Spaulding " as long as General Williams 
ruled the Island. Indeed, that extraordinary man had ordered 
the Colonel's arrest the moment of his reaching shore, but he 
is here now and grinning at his triumph, evidently safe under 
the wing of the superior General. 

Camp Wool, 
January 31st. 

Among my letters this morning was one from my Sister, 
Eva, in a black-bordered envelope. The foreboding was soon 
realized. My Father is dead. He died on the eve of New 
Year's Day, just one month ago, nine years after the death 
of his wife, our Mother. And so I am not only Motherless, 
but Fatherless, and it was he, and not I, who was to pass 
86 



THE LONG ROLL 

away first. I paid him a farewell visit on my way from St. 
Paul to New York. When it was time to leave, he walked with 
me to the station and seemed loth to turn back. Finally we 
parted, and, *' My Son," he said, " if you go now we will never 
meet again in this world." And now these words come back 
to me with more than ordinary force, as if from a voice not 
yet quite dead. 

Note — No date. 

I did not write again on Hatteras Island. Day after day 
we watched the vessels working over the " Swash " as anxiously 
as though they were giants straining at our deliverance. Slowly 
but surely, they took their positions in deep water. A comrade 
and I paid a visit to a few of them, some four miles distant, 
in a small boat, with much satisfaction. In fact, so irksome 
had become our imprisonment on this Island that we loved 
the wiiole fleet as our deliverers from bondage. 

The Sketch of Hatteras at sundown, from Camp Wool, 
is about the essence of the last days of restrained impatience. 
The *' Cooner " scudding homeward lightly on the waves, 
before a darkening sky ; the sun sinking large and glorious 
in its si)lcndor, dyeing the waves in wonderful hues; the huge 
pun booming over the brilliant waters, and while the white 
cloud yet curls ui)war(l, we say — " Farewell Hatteras !" 




87 



CHAPTER VII 

Roanoke Island 

On the U. S. Transport "Union" 
Pamlico Sound, February 3d, 1862. 

THE " Union " is an exceedingly rickety stern wheeler river 
steamer, but of very light draught, not drawing more 
than eighteen inches of water, which enables her to go 
into very shallow places, which is, of course, her business. Our 
boys, to whom such boats are not familiar, have so thoroughly 
rechristened her that she is now known through the whole fleet 
as the "Wheelbarrow." 

We struck tents at Camp Wool this morning, and the Com- 
pany is now quartered with Company E on the steam gunboat 
"Virginia," it being the Flagship, I believe, of the Third Brigade, 
Third Division. Having been on Fatigue to-day, I will sleep 
aboard the Wheelbarrow to-night. 

U. S. Gunboat "Virginia." 
February 4th. 
Came aboard to-day and reported to my Company. 

February 5th. 
About nine o'clock this morning the sailing signal was 
displayed from the Flagship, and it seemed but an instant 
when the whole fleet was in motion. We went in single file, 
the sailing vessels mostly in the rear and in tow of steamers. 
The sight is an imposing and inspiring one. It is probably the 
greatest display of shipping these out-of-the-way waters have 
ever seen or will see again for a long time to come. 

Thursday, February 6th. 
We are off Roanoke Island at anchor. It is raining gently. 
Do not expect any fighting to-day. 

The night was a beautiful one, and the scene one I shall 
never forget. The moon, in the full, came out and illuminated 
88 



THE LONG ROLL 

the thin mists, making a silver transparency of them all, through 
which the vessels of the fleet could he readily made out, but 
only as an inextricable mass of hulls and spars. 

After " Taps," a i)erfect mania for frolic seemed to take 
possession of our Company. It was on this night that the 
famous " Plum Battery " was inaugurated and executed to 
such perfect satisfaction. 

Our quarters were on the first gun-deck, our Company on 
the left and E on the right, but in such small space that it 
was necessary to sleep packed in a somewhat fishy fashion, 
head and feet alternating, and when thus arranged, we covered 
the deck so completely that it was impossible for any one to 
go either forcward or aft, without treading on a very carpet 
of men. Of course, this attempt was not made unless unavoid- 
able. At first, it would call down a shower of oaths, and when 
the step was too heavy or would wake a soldier up, the curses 
were accompanied by kicks. These culminated finally in the 
regular system of " Plum Battery." The moment any one 
woidd try to go through or cross this field of men, all would 
be <iuiet until some rascal had his feet planted firmly in the 
rearmost part of the victim ; then a shout of " Plum Battery " 
and a shove that would send him only on to other pairs of 
pedal extremities raised everywhere to receive him at the 
magic words of command ; and thus he would go spinning 
l)ackward and forward from one to the other like a shuttle-cock. 
lie nmst run the gauntlet of the Company or submit as best 
he might till he could get down between some two, or capture 
a kicking leg, or receive mercy. Of course, the sport was not 
only exciting but laughable in the extreme, and whenever a 
new victim was caught in the network of kicking legs, it called 
forth such noise of shouts and furious hilarity that the officers 
came down several times to put a stop to it, but usually they 
went back with their errand uncompleted for laughter. 

Friday, February 7th. 
The ball is opened. Our gunboats hove anchor and moved 
across the marsh this morning and are now at it hot and heavy. 

80 



THE LONG ROLL 

We are now, at twelve noon, moving up ourselves and can 
plainly see the bombardment from our vessel. Have just 
sketched the scene hastily, as the steamer ahead was aground 
just inside the marsh, and we had to wait a few minutes for 
her to get off; but as we are steaming ahead again, I think 
it is time to put by my Journal and sketches for the present. 

February 13th. 

To commence where I left off about noon of Friday the 
Seventh. The bombardment was kept up with spirit on both 
sides during the afternoon. The " Hunchback," an old ferry- 
boat with one heavy gun in each end, made herself conspicuous 
by deliberately placing herself between the Rebel Batteries 
and their fleet, working one gun on each, keeping the position 
till dark. A little sloop with one heavy, hundred-pound gun 
placed herself inside of the line of the fleet and under full sail 
made her tally of one every time she tacked. A huge column 
of smoke curled up about two or three in the afternoon, from 
the rear of the batteries and from where our heaviest fire was 
concentrated. We were conjecturing what this might be, 
when the American Flag on the Flagship ran up to the maintop, 
which was the signal for the troops to land. 

The " Wheelbarrow " was again brought into requisition, 
and by eight o'clock in the evening our Regiment was at the 
selected landing-place, a very swampy point of land, some 
two miles below the batteries. 

In landing I was separated from my Company and had to 
make my way through the marsh alone. A flimsy, corduroy 
road of fence-rails had been improvised, but in the darkness 
I could not see, and as the rails were half -covered with mud 
and mire, at every other step the foot went down between, 
adding the danger of breaking one's legs to the general dis- 
comfort. I finally got through this and found the bivouac 
of the troops. They occupied a field of some twenty acres 
around a farmhouse, which served as General Burnside's 
headquarters. 

Ten thousand men were bivouacked on this field, ranged 
90 



THE LONG ROLL 

in huddling groups around hundreds of camp-fires, and a cold 
drizzliiif^ rain fell almost incessantly during the night, keeping 
the mass of men in constant motion. A few men, more enter- 
prising than the rest, gathered evergreen branches enough 
from the neighboring woods, to raise the body above the mud 
and water, an experiment which I also tried with some result 
in sleep. The most of the men stood talking around the fires 
all niglit. Now and then as they moved to replenish the flames 
or stir the smouldering embers, long gleams of light would flash 
from out the darkness, reflected from endless rows of gun- 
barrels and bayonets, sharp, distinct and zig-zag, like a display 
of lightning when unusual efforts were made at some of the 
fires, or faint and flickering as the rain poured harder and the 
flames burned lurid and low. 

Everything took on an extremely weird and unusual shape 
as, now and then, I peered from under the lids of my blanket 
which the rain was eternally pelting outside, and reflections 
came both '* thick and thin " as I watched or dozed away the 
long night. 

If one cares to contrast this night with the previous one 
on the fleet, it will furnish quite a lively idea of the extremes 
to which a soldier is sulijected. 

Day dawned at last, but it brought no respite from the rain. 
In fact, rain has followed Hurnside more or less from the time 
he struck Hatteras, and it does not seem ready to suspend 
operations yet. 

A short time after daylight, a false alarm came near creating 
a serious panic among the troops. Of a sudden, there was a 
spontaneous movement toward the stacks, and it seemed as 
if we were to *' have it " there and then, but the excitement 
quieted down as suddenh' as it came up, without, I think, 
any of us finding out the cause of the alarm. 

A sli(»rt time after this, a rumor went the rounds that a 
couple of Regiments had been sent out to cut ofT a small force 
of the enemy and gain a position in the rear of their works. 
This was the advance of a portion of Foster's Brigade, and the 
commencement of operations. We soon heard from them. 

91 



THE LONG ROLL 

Quick successive reports of cannon were heard issuing 
from the woods not over a half a mile away, and these reports 
were quickly followed by volleys of musketry. There was 
no longer room for doubt ; the ball was open in earnest. 

Regiment and Regiment now formed in rapid succession 
and filed away into the woods in the direction of the fight, 
and as we waited our turn (we were of the Third Division and 
held in reserve) the excitement became almost unbearable. 
We heard a cheer once ringing clear and distinct through the 
woods, and without knowing whether it boded us good or ill 
we took it up and returned it with a will. Our good, whole- 
souled Lieutenant (Flemming) bestirred himself to have coffee 
for us before we started, which every one needed without 
being aware of it, and besides it helped to take up the time. 
At last came the welcome word of command, " Attention 
Battalion," and without more ado than to stop at the edge 
of the woods and dispense with our blankets and extra accoutre- 
ments, we filed rapidly away in the direction taken by the other 
Regiments. 

As soon as we struck the road, a narrow one, we had to 
form in ranks of two from four, in order to let the string of 
wounded men pass on their way to the rear. They came thick 
and fast, and this was indeed a ghastly spectacle for us to face 
on the way to our maiden fight. 

The poor fellows were in every imaginable condition of 
bodily suffering ; some of them walking bravely or indifferently 
by themselves, with only slight wounds ; others supported by 
comrades, pale as death from loss of blood ; still others carried 
on stretchers, evidently in their last struggle ; and some quite 
still — were they already dead ? 

Most of these wounded soldiers were cheerful themselves 
or tried to cheer us by reports from the field of how the fight 
was going, or such observations as they could think of that 
would sound well. " We advanced on them twice," a robust 
fellow said, and he looked as though he might advance on them 
again. " We are driving them back," from a young, pale-faced 
boy with clothes too big for his body. " You are wanted up 
92 



THE LONG ROLL 

there," feebly uttered another whose life-blood was oozing 
from hira. " Two of their guns are taken," exclaimed one. 
" We are giving them Hell," shouted another. " They gave 
me a sore jaw," one huge fellow remarked as he passed. But 
the most horrible sight of all was one poor soldier on a stretcher 
with his right arm taken off close to the shoulder, leaving the 
bloody stump, which, consciously or not, he was working in 
spasmodic jerks and from which the red blood was streaming. 
Many others passed us in ghastly array: a Captain, assisted 
by a cou|)le of men, had apparently an eye torn out; another, 
in a sitting position, was spewing pure blood ; but none seemed 
to freeze my very life as that terrible spectacle of the spasmodic 
stump with its severed arteries squirting blood. 

I remember after that a sort of sickening sensation as if 
I was going to a slaughter-house to be butchered, and as we 
neared the field and saw ominous shapes here and there, bodies 
wrapped in blankets, too deathly still for sleep, a cold shudder 
as of the grave ])assed over me. I can not believe that this was 
cowardly, ft)r I know that no such idea as escape entered my 
mind. 1 was simi)ly walking into the jaws of death for the 
first time, made more horrible by the sights and sounds around 
me, and I felt I nmst be deathly pale. This feeling made me 
nervous, too, for even then pride struggled to conceal my weak- 
ness ; but as I looked around me to see if it was noticed by 
my comj)anions, 1 was surprised to see the same feelings working 
more or less transparently through all the faces I could see back 
in the line. I realized the truth then, that every individual was, 
like myself, undergoing the same experience, and that I was 
not alone in looking into the awful abyss of non-existence, or 
trying as best I could to shake hands with Death. Strange to 
.say, the realization of this truth gave me what I needed and 
that not so much courage, as sympathy for my comrades, and 
this took my thouglils from myself and my single individuality. 
It put an end to the struggle as far as I was concerned, so that 
when we arrived u|)()n the field all dread or fear seemed to have 
passed away, and I have often thought since that I went through 
in that short nuircli to the battlefield, on Roanoke, all that 

93 



THE LONG ROLL 

mortal can, but Death ; that I had, in fact, looked him square 
in the face, and placed myself within his reach, and though I 
have been nearer him since, I have never felt that feeling, nor 
do I think I ever will. 

As we entered the opening (filled with timber to allow full 
play for their guns), a bullet whistled over us, the first one that 
ever went over me from an enemy. I could not but laugh at 
my file-leader, who dodged down half his length, long after 
the bullet had passed him, not that I would not have dodged 
too, but that I knew it was too late. A minute after, a couple 
of our men fell, but from wounds or not, I can not say, only 
that I had to jump over them. I was surprised and greatly 
confused ; this was to me anything but a field of battle, for 
I could see no enemy, and our men were lying around in the 
swamp on either side of the road behind trees and stumps, 
firing at what I could not make out, for everything was in a 
whirl of confusion. 

It was impossible to form in battalion line, and it was not 
attempted, for the trees felled in every direction would have 
prevented, even if the nature of the ground (a swamp) had not 
most effectually done so. We advanced up to a bend in the 
road, where a squad of the marine artillery were working one 
of their howitzers, when we were told to drop on account of 
a special volley that it seems was expected would be fired for 
our benefit. We disposed of ourselves without any attempt 
at order, on either side of the road among the other troops. 
All the men were crouching low behind objects of shelter and 
firing as fast as they could load. I took the right side of the 
road, looking ahead very naturally, to see what was the aim 
of all the shooting. 

I saw a body of men moving slowly along the other end 
of the opening, and seeing most of the guns around me leveled 
in that direction, I also took aim to fire, but luckily snapped 
my piece. I say " luckily," because as I was in the act of 
repriming, the officer commanding the gun cried out to stop, 
"For God's sake ! " — we were shooting our own men ! I had 
been aiming like many others at a body of our men who were 
94 



THE LONG ROLL 

endeavoring to flank the enemy. Wishing, simj)ly enough, 
to know ** what in thunder to shoot at then," a low, broken 
hne was pointed out to me in the edge of the wood, which I 
was informed was a battery behind which the enemy was posted. 
As I was looking, I saw some one, evidently an officer, very 
probably Captain Wise, jump up on the works and stand there 
(piite bravely gesticulating, but how long he was there, I do 
not know, for I had no time for further observation. Just then 
our Bugler sounded, " Cease Firing," and then I heard the 
hoarse voice of our Major give the command, " Charge Bayo- 
nets," and all I know is that I was out on the road running and 
yelling with the rest of the men, and that with a successful 
leap over a wide ditch full of water, we were all together pouring 
pell-mell over the breastworks. When I came up and jumped 
into the works, there was not an enemy in sight. They must 
have left the moment we charged, but a dead soldier was in 
standing posture, slightly bent over the muzzle of one of the 
cannon, shot while in the act of loading. In his hands he yet 
clutched a charge of grape, and so lifelike did he appear that 
for a moment I thought he must be yet alive. One of our boys, 
an Irishman, and one of the first to mount the works, was so 
strongly under the same impression that he actually clubbed 
him with his nmsket before finding out his mistake. A wild 
cheer arose as our flag was planted on the fort, everybody shook 
hands in congratulation, all laughed and, I think, some cried, 
but every one was equally overjoyed at our first victory. 

The enemy had left the rammers in their guns, and their 
knapsacks and muskets were scattered about in such confusion 
that it was evident they had made a hasty flight after their 
brave and wonderfully stubborn resistance. During the 
enthusiasm over our success, all order was forgotten, and 
I felt some apprehension that the enemy might be re-forming 
and come on us while we were yet in confusion. Nothing of 
flic kind happened, liowever, and we were soon re-formed and 
in pursuit of them. 

A detachment of ours captured a boat-load of them as they 
were endeavoring to escape toward the mainland by way of 

95 



THE LONG ROLL 

Nags Head, and among them were a Major and some line 
officers. The main force of our Regiment halted in a field near 
a farmhouse upon which the yellow flag was displayed. This 
was the Rebel hospital, and we came up just as the gallant 
Wise was expiring from the effects of four bullet-wounds, the 
last two of which, if reports be true, our Regiment gave him. 
He had fought with two until our Regiment came up, when he 
received two more and was carried from the field. And this 
virtually ended the battle. 

Before night the enemy had surrendered some twenty -seven 
hundred prisoners, three or four batteries, thirty guns, and we 
were left masters of the Island. General Wise, the father of 
the brave Captain who had given his life in its defense, managed 
to escape with some few troops by way of Nags Head. 

General Burnside gave us the lion's share of credit for the 
victory and subsequent surrender, and it is gratifying to hear 
warm accounts of our behavior from the whole-souled tars of 
the Marine Artillery, whose gallantry, at least, none can do 
otherwise than respect. But my opinion is that, to our Major 
Kimball and a piece of good fortune, more than to any special 
fighting qualities in ourselves, is due this rather brilliant suc- 
cess. 

I have given as good and as perfect an account of the affair, 
as far as I was personally concerned, as my narrow quarters 
on a shelf on the "Virginia" will allow. It only remains now for 
me to give, if I have time and opportunity, a few incidents 
and observations that came under my notice during our three 
eventful days on the Island. 

Lieutenant Leahy of Company H led our Company into 
the fight, as we were destitute of all officers except our Second 
Lieutenant Flemming. Leahy is a brave, restless, energetic 
officer and a stern disciplinarian, which makes him somewhat 
unpopular in the Regiment. 

It will be remembered that while he was Provost-Marshal 

on Hatteras, he undertook several expeditions in this direction 

in search of information, on some of which our Corporal Davis 

accompanied him. He certainly had very definite knowledge 

96 







liivouac of Hiiriisidc's Army. Roanoke Island 




Jarvis Farm Hospital 



;v-M#^- 



1^si«,%k*, 



., ^#. 






Roanokf Island Battleground 





^^ 






Fort Defiance. Roanoke Island 



PLATE XXI 



THE LONG ROLL 

of all the military works here. When we halted at Jarvis 
Hospital and there seemed no more hope of active operation 
that day, Leahy knew there was a battery somewhere below 
us, which, with a squad of men, he hunted up and captured 
with its force of two men, who were only too glad to surrender. 
Having no flag with which to signalize his conquest, Leahy 
elevated his fez on a pole, that the necessary amount of " pomp 
and circumstance of war " might not be wanting. 

Our regiment remained where we had halted on Jarvis 
Farm during the night, and as the usual rain came up again, 
mingled this time for the sake of variety with a little snow, I 
joined with several others in a search for shelter, which we 
finally found in a house that is indicated in the right of the 
sketch. We discovered in the morning that it had been used 
as a pigsty, though it was then dry and clean. As we had slept 
well, and on new hay which we had ourselves brought, the pigs 
were forgiven. 

The house of which I have a sketch as faithful as need be, 
is a more thun usually interesting one, for the run of hou.ses in 
this region. It is old and unpainted, of course, and gray, if 
not green, in spots, with a sort of moss formation upon it, 
with two innncnse chimneys at one gable end and another at 
the other. It has a shingled, double-hipped roof, which makes 
it aj)pcar as if the sides, too, were shingled. Ix)w, shed-like 
extensions tlescending gently from the eaves in front and rear 
give it a very (|uaiiit and comfortable appearance, and it looks 
very nmch as if it had grown during the slow process of time, 
without any special design or effort on the part of the inmates. 

Jarvis, the proprietor, seemed to be a part of the house. 
He is short and thick-set, very, and to all appearances born 
right here. With the possible exception of a trip to Nags Head 
in a " C'ooner," he looks as though he never had been off the 
Island. He was greatly bewildered at the extraordinary events 
transpiring around him, as frightened at our occupation of 
the Island, and, more than all, distressed at t lie use of his house 
in the bloody business of a hospital. He told us there could 
not be a person living " more tired at the sight of blood." 

97 



THE LONG ROLL 

I believe it was his firm conviction that we would, in the event 
of taking the Island, massacre the inhabitants generally, for 
even now, as if some display was not altogether unnecessary 
to show his entire, though it might be hopeless, subordination 
to our wishes, and possibly for some charming virtue of pro- 
tection in the letters, he carries about an old, rusty die for 
stamping the letters, " U. S.," however he had come into 
possession of the thing, and this he persistently affirms that 
he has " never been ashamed to show." All very much as 
if displaying some " skull-and-crossbone " sign to a lot of 
pirates. 

On the Ninth, I was one of a Detail to return after the 
Comj)any's blankets, and I had a good opportunity for review- 
ing the field, which I also improved by making a couple of 
sketches. 

The battery for which we paid so dearly is named Fort 
Defiance, and mounts three guns, one of which is an old Mexican 
brass piece, the one in the right of the sketch. 

It is no great affair to my notion, but most excellently placed 
so as to sweep the road, which is in part a sort of causeway 
through the swamp, and the only passable approach from the 
lower to the higher part of the Island. My other sketch shows 
where we first arrived upon the scene and where our forces 
must have suffered most, judging by the dead, which, on 
the day after, were yet unburied. They were just as they 
had fallen, and miserably enough for the most part, in knee-deep 
mud and mire. I came upon two poor fellows between some 
stumps, evidently killed by the same cannon-ball. They were 
both shockingly torn, one through the right side and the other 
the left, and they must have died instantly. Not far from 
these was one of the Fifty -first, with a part of his brain pro- 
truding from the side of his head, which had been pierced by 
a musket-ball, his hat beside him just as he had placed it, 
with holes through it identical with those that killed him. 
I also particularly noted a handsome young fellow with coal- 
black hair, stretched out with a horrible-looking wound in 
the shoulder and neck which must have killed him instantly. 
98 



THE LONG ROLL 

But by far the most horrifying sight to me on the whole field 
was a single, human hand, bloodless and shriveled, alone by 
itself, away from every! liing else of human shape. I came upon 
it suddenly, and though I had been accustoming myself to look 
at death in the various forms here displayed, the sight of this 
lonely hand was so unexpected and startling, that I felt a cold 
shiver under the very roots of my hair. 

Lieutenant-Colonel \'ictor de jMonteuil was killed while 
acting as a Private in our Regiment, only a few moments before 
the cliarge was made which decided the day. He was separated 
from his Regiment, the D 'Epaneuil Zouaves, and attached 
himself to ours quite naturally. He died, I am told, with words 
of encouragement to our Regiment, as we were preparing to 
charge. 

To our IVIajor Kimball, more than to any one else, we are 
indebted for the rather brilliant termination of the fight. He 
is an old Mexican army officer, and in that war achieved the 
distinction of being the first to pull down an enemy's flag at 
Tehuantepec. As soon as we arrived on the field, he saw at 
once that a bold stroke was all that was needed to win the day, 
and he proposed to General Foster to make the charge. That 
General was, I presume, by this time equally convinced that 
something was needed, and glad to find some one who knew 
what it was, with experience and boldness enough to carry 
it through, and in a couple of minutes, the deed was done. 

Now, in charging at the head of the Regiment, Kimball 
of course did not see anything in the heavens above, or on 
the earth beneath, but the breastworks between; so that 
when he arrived at the ditch in front of the works, the bottom 
of things dropped from under him, as it were, and he suddenly 
found himself floundering in muddy water more like a porpoise 
than a Major of Infantry. Being rather short and stout did 
not help the nuitter, and his head acted as a sort of sinker 
to a cork, and would, in his frantic efforts to right himself, 
continually bob out of sight. As he was floundering and 
spluttering in this way, our Lieutenant Flemming, a six-footer, 
cleared the ditch with a bound, not hearing or heeding the 

99 



THE LONG ROLL 

Major, who frantically called on him to help him out. He 
afterward explained in my hearing, " Lord, Major, I would 
not have helped me own father up then." How he did get 
out I do not know, but that he lost his saber is certain, for 
he walked up to one of Porter's Marines, took a cutlass out 
of his hand, saying simply, " Here, young man, I want this." 
He had no further use for it that day, however, and his own 
sword was returned to him, fished up by some one who had 
witnessed the misadventure. 

The night of the Ninth was put in as well as might be near 
the center of the Island back of Fort Bartow, around which 
most of the troops were camped. It snowed quite hard at dusk. 
I fell in with a " regular Southerner," a citizen correspondent 
of some paper, with whom I had quite a dish of conversation, 
on one topic of course, the Rebellion. He seemed to think that 
this Island was not half protected by defensive works or we 
never could have taken it, and he also predicted that we could 
never put an end to the Rebellion. My magnanimity was such 
that I would not gainsay him, but " we have taken the Island 
anyway, whether we put an end to the Rebellion or not." 

On the morning of the Tenth I had an opportunity to see 
and sketch Fort Bartow, which is the principal work here. 
The effect of the bombardment is very perceptible in the bomb- 
proof powder-magazine, but has hardly disturbed the outline 
of the work itself, which is built of turf or peat. Since our 
return to our old quarters on the " Virginia," I have sketched 
the fort from the deck where we were anchored, including the 
little white Rebel steamer, waiting, under a flag of truce, to 
convey the body of the brave, young Wise to Norfolk. 

Commodore Goldsborough made short work of Lynch's 
fleet, chasing them as far as Elizabeth City, and either sinking 
or destroying all, including the " Fanny," and excepting the 
" Ellis," carrying two guns, which was captured. 

Monday, February 17th. 

I have mentioned the escape of " Uncle Ben " from Roanoke 
Island. He was immediately employed by Lieutenant Leahy 
100 



THE LONG ROLL 

as cook, in which capacity he served until our departure for 
the Ishind. He is no ordinary man, but far superior to many 
in both inteUigence and modesty. He proved himself not only 
of great use for the information he possessed, but a man of 
mettle as well. On the night before the attack, while we were 
bivouacking as miserably as could be in the rain, he was com- 
fortably closeted with (ieneral Burnside in the house that served 
as headquarters, giving information of the different works 
on the Island, and it was through him that exact information 
wjus received of the battery defending tlie only pass to the 
enemy's rear, which he had helped to build. He guided General 
Foster's force to it in the morning. I am told he was one of, 
if not the very first, to fire into it, and he used up some forty 
rounds of cartridges during the day. A few days ago, one of 
our Lieutenants, either Leaiiy or Flemming, with a small party, 
visited the mainland under Ben's guidance, and went to see 
Hen's former master and associates in slavery. They were 
greatly surprised to see him, rigged out as he was with red, 
officer's cap, pistol in belt and musket capped in hand, for he 
had f)een reported drowned. It is presumed this was done to 
prevent the other slaves from making a similar escape. 

We are on the eve of another expedition, rumor has it to 
Klizabeth City or Middletown, to-morrow will tell which, if 
either, or at all. tiiough it seems to be decided that we are going 
somewhere. 

A curious incident, happening to a member of our Regiment, 
has just come to my notice. During the recent fight, while 
charging, he was struck down, and from the sensation he 
experienced thought he was hit in the abdomen and mortally 
wounded. After waiting a reasonable time for death to ensue, 
he began to think that " something was wrong," and upon 
examination he found that the ball had struck his belt-plate, 
and glancing, had not even hurt him. But I am tired to-night, 
best pack myself to sleep, while I may. The Lord only knows 
where I may l)e to-morrow night. Let me have strength to 
meet my fate, wherever it may be and whenever it may overtake 
me. That is all I can ask at present. 

101 



CHAPTER VIII 

The Burning of Winton 

Old Quarters {on my shelf) 

" Virginia " off Roanoke. 

February 22d. 

WE have just returned from an expedition up the Chowan 
River, resulting in the destruction of the town of Win- 
ton. Our Regiment was the only land force employed. 
We are now quietly moored at our old station, which seems to 
be the head for future operations in these extensive inland seas. 
About noon last Tuesday, our Regiment was distributed 
among a fleet of gunboats and vessels consisting of the follow- 
ing : Gunboats, Spar-rigged, four to seven guns, the " Dela- 
ware," Flagship, the " Louisiana " and the " Lock wood " ; 
Old ferryboats, two guns each, heavy calibre, the " Hunch- 
back," the " Morse," the " Commodore Perry " and the 
" Commodore Barney." 

Companies E and I were quartered on the " Barney." 
At a given signal, we hove anchor and steamed rapidly North- 
ward into the Albemarle Sound, soon leaving the Island and 
neighboring shores, with the pretty Light-House, just above 
Roanoke, as indistinct lines or specks on the horizon. Our 
destination was a mystery to all of us, and many were the 
speculations on the subject, some professing to know all about 
it with each particular plan and detail. We were not going to 
Middletown, the course we were taking answering that in the 
negative. The most prevalent opinion among the sailors of 
the " Barney " and us soldiers was that the object was the 
destruction of a certain railroad-bridge over the Chowan River, 
which I find by my maps, somewhere near the boundary-line 
between this State and Virginia. And this appeared likely 
enough, for it would cut off direct communication between this 
State and Norfolk, a desirable object certainly. About dark, 
the fleet anchored opposite the city of Plymouth, and at, day- 
light we were again under full steam and away. In about an 
hour, we came to the mouth of the Roanoke River, up which 
102 



THE LONG ROLL 

one of the old ferryboats proceeded to " feel " and for a time 
disappeared, while the rest of the fleet dropped anchor to wait 
and see if slie came out all right, or to help her if she found 
trouble. 

No solid banks could be made out on either shore of the 
opening, and the forest, for the most part of pine and kindred 
fir trees, seemed to grow out of the water. This fact, with the 
india-ink blackness of the water, and the long tufts of gray 
moss suspended from the trees in great quantities, all con- 
tributed to give the scene a very peculiar and grisly, if not 
ghostly apj)carance, entirely new to me. Indeed, as we waited 
for thi' gunboat to appear, I tliought again and again that it 
would make a suitable entrance to the great Dismal Swamp 
itself, with which it is closely connected, if not an actual part. 

The tug returned and we took the course of the " Delaware," 
which was by this time nearly out of sight on its way up the 
river. The description of the mouth of the Roanoke will also 
serve for the Chowan for at least twenty miles. It is from one 
to three miles in width, and more like an arm of the Albemarle 
than a river. The decidedly yellow tinge of the water proves 
its origin in genuine \'irginia soil. 

Our fleet headed by the Flagship made a lively display 
as we a.scended this river, and a novel one for these peaceful- 
looking waters, I '11 warrant, comjwsed as it was of vessels of 
the utmost contrast in purpose, build and appearance. The 
old ferryboats, painted black as the ace of spades, are the most 
strange to .see as gunboats, but as such they are excellent, being 
strongly built and cap;ii)le of oi)erating in very shallow waters. 

About fi\e o'clock, while we were thinking no more of danger 
than if upon a pleasure excursion, we were startled by the reports 
of eaimonading ahead, and simultaneously, the engines of the 
** liiirney " ceased working. While Captain Renshaw was 
making out the signals ahead, the *' Delaware " appeared, 
herself a signal to ** put about," and she actually passed us 
before we had our pilot-houses and rudders changed. 

Tb(" " Delaware " hnd been fired into, the pilot-hou.se and 
one wheel-house being perforated with nmsket-balls. No harm 



THE LONG ROLL 

done, except to cause our Colonel and another officer, who were 
in the crosstrees on the lookout, to make a hasty and graceful 
descent. Meanwhile, the orders were to fall back and to prepare 
for action the next day. 

The guns were kept manned during the night, and we, of 
course, were ready. The wildest kind of conjectures prevailed 
as to the probable events of the morrow. Some said artillery 
as well as musketry had been used in the attack on the " Dela- 
ware," and that our landing would be desperately resisted ; 
but we had an excellent night's sleep, the better because all 
unnecessary noise was prohibited. 

The morning was spent making the most formidable prepa- 
rations for an attack. Bullet-proof casemating was put around 
the gunwales of the " Barney." Huge piles of cutlasses and 
navy revolvers were brought out from the Lord knows where, 
and placed ready to hand, in a promiscuous heap on deck, where 
they certainly looked dangerous. But we dispatched breakfast, 
that is, those of us who had any, and I was not one, and swiftly, 
as on the day before, proceeded up the river. 

At nine, the advance opened on the village of Winton from 
where the " Delaware " had been fired into the day before. 
About twenty shots, mostly heavy shells, were sent into the 
town by the different vessels, and then we landed, without 
opposition, and marched up a steep, clay bank, upon which 
Winton is situated. I am told there were twelve hundred men, 
with three field-pieces, there the night before, but they beat a 
hasty retreat at our first shot, accompanied, I should judge, 
by every living soul of the village who could get away. There 
had been a " ball " or something in the way of rejoicing the 
night before on account of our repulse. But it turned out any- 
thing but brilliantly, for the village was miserably plundered 
and burned. Two men confined in the jail under the Court-house 
would have been burned with the town, had it not been for one 
of the gallant tars of the " Barney," who chopped them loose. 
They took to their heels, as might be expected, with the double 
object perhaps of escaping from justice as well as from the 
enemy. This same sailor told me he saw one other inhabitant 
104 




••r>^ 



'-^V 



-^-'^ 







\ -... 






."^ 



ai 



»x 



, . , , ,. ,,.,„.,i s „,..,■ 1).- MoMUuil ..f llK- !)• Hpaneuil Zoimves 

l,ii'ulfn:iiu-» oloiu I > I' K'l 



PL.VTE XXII 




'■'^r ■> »J, .^ 



Fort Bnrtuw (Koanoke) 



Btj^^-i-*"-- 




:|^ 



^afi^l 



^^ xS. 



Fort IJartow (Roanoke), llebel Tug " Sea JJird," under flag of truce, Waiting 
for Cody of Captain Wise 



PLATE XXUI 




Till- ( ';ii)tiin'<| (iiiiii»>at " I'Mlis 



m 



m^L 



\N inlon Kxpoditiou Going up Chowan Uiver 



PLATE XXIV 



"•i / ■ ■' ^- 








PLATK XXV 



THE LONG ROLL 

beside the criminals, " an old woman, gray and wrinkled all 
over." 

Not having been on hand in time for the burning, our Com- 
panies wore not allowed to break ranks, and this I did not regret, 
as burning and ])illaging is a part of the performance that 
is not to my taste. This brave deed having been accom- 
plished, either by the orders of the officers commanding, or by 
the men without any protest, it was deemed prudent to return 
without attempting the ol)jeet of the expedition, the destruction 
of the bridge, as it was found that a nuich larger force was 
stationed there than we could expect to cope with successfully, 
especially as re-cnforcements would have time to reach them 
from Norfolk before we could get there. So, with a miserable 
village burned, a c()uj)le of felons liberated, and no particular 
harm done to an old Ldy, the fleet steamed down the Chowan 
again, quite bravely. 

Sunday, February 23d. 

The paymaster was a pleasant person to meet on our return 
from Winton. That beloved official has been waiting for us 
for two days, and yesterday he disbursed among us the amount 
which is considered sufficient compensation for what killing 
and burning we have to do, and for other considerations which 
need not be mentioned. Of course, so much money was apt 
to burn severely, and as life was an uncertain thing at best, 
and we nught not long want the little here below, our Mess 
concluded to spend some of it if possible, and celebrate in a 
fitting way our late successes, including, of course, our deeds of 
valor at Winton. We accordingly visited every vessel in the 
fleet, including the " Barney," but could n't get rid of our 
money. 

The crew of the " Barney," and the officers as well, seemed 
to be heartily glad to .see us, and found fault because we did 
not bring a boat -load and come in time for " Grog." Even the 
grim old Captain Henshaw seemed pleased, and returned our 
salutes with a hearty, " How are you Zou-Zous? " He inquired 
where we were going next and hoped we could go together. 

105 



THE LONG ROLL 

We were hardly prepared for, but greatly pleased at receiv- 
ing so much good-will and courtesy. The fact is, our success 
in putting a sudden end to the fight on the Island has since 
grown into a matter of some importance and, whether deserv- 
edly or not, it creates a feeling for us in the fleet that is very 
pleasant to experience. 

We expect to go next to Middle Creek, wherever that may 
be. 

Tuesday, March 4th, 
Schooner " Eva Belle" 

Received a mail yesterday and papers up to the Twenty- 
fifth, with bushels of the most glorious news from all quarters 
where our forces are operating, but best is the capture of Fort 
Donaldson with some fifteen thousand prisoners. This is rather 
the most decisive thing of the war, and eclipses decidedly our 
achievements here. 

It is singular that we should have the first news of this great 
triumph through Rebel sources. While at Winton, some of 
the contents of the post-oflSce was brought aboard the "Barney," 
and in a Confederate paper, the Petersburg "Express," we 
read accounts of a terrible conflict raging around Fort Donald- 
son, and which had at the date of the latest accounts been in 
progress then three days. Nothing final was known, but certain 
misgivings expressed as to the result might have created more 
remark at the time, had we considered the importance of the 
operations in that quarter. 

We have not participated in any new movements or expedi- 
tions in any direction since the miserable affair at Winton. 
Everything is exceedingly quiet and idle in the fleet. Our Com- 
pany was yesterday transferred to the Schooner " Eva Belle," 
where we have more room in the hold, but certainly not as 
l)leasant quarters as we had on the " Virginia." I had grown 
quite attached to my shelf, of which I had the undisputed pos- 
session. I had just room enough in this corner, though none 
to spare, and, being raised some four feet above the level of 
my comrades, saved me from much unnecessary friction. 
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A boat crew was organized as soon as we got settled in our 
new quarters, and of this I became a voluntary member. Our 
life is getting too humdrum, and it is my object to relieve the 
monotony, and exercise and some experience will not come 
amiss. 

Wednesday, March 5th. 

Commenced my new duties as one of the boat crew this 
morning by getting famously wet in bringing a couple of water- 
barrels from the " Curlew." Just in from the " Phoenix," 
where we received from Lieutenant Andrews the rather unwel- 
come intelligence that we are to be Post Regiment on Roanoke 
Island. Colonel Hawkins is to be acting Brigadier in command. 




107 



CHAPTER IX 

Camp Reno 

March 8th. 

THE afternoon of the Fifth, the " Wheelbarrow " took us 
aboard and conveyed us to Camp Reno, where we have 
stepped completely into the shoes and barracks of the 
late Secesh occupants. The barracks are very comfortable, 
and I doubt if we would ever have been provided with as good, 
if Fortune had not placed us here. There are in the camp, about 
fifteen houses, each accommodating two Companies, with room 
to spare, and all arranged similarly to the tents in an encamp- 
ment, the quarters being divided into compartments for Mess 
of some twelve or thirteen. Each apartment is provided with 
a fireplace and chimney, a luxury that we have never had since 
we entered the service of Uncle Sam. And we are not the only 
ones thus unprotected, for I hear that the Army of the Potomac 
dare not think of such a thing as fire. I have been so closely 
occupied since we came here that I have not had an opportunity 
even to ask for a pass, much less to go outside the camp ; but 
as it is likely that we will stay here for a couple of months at 
least, I will have time enough for exploring the Island, and I 
will give my observations of such things as I deem interesting 
enough for these pages. Meanwhile, it is enough to say that 
Camp Reno is situated on the Northern point of the Island, 
in a fine, dry location sheltered on all sides by woods. 

March 14th. 

By a new order all sentinels who do their duty faithfully 
shall receive passes to go all over the Island, with liberty from 
the time they come off duty until Dress Parade at four o'clock. 
Yesterday morning I came off guard, and with a couple of my 
messmates started out to see what was to be seen. 

We took, of course, the only road that we had never been 

on before, which led us in a Southwesterly direction from Camp 

Reno. This brought us to the sand-hills, which looked so 

inviting and so bold from the level, woody ground we started 

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from, that we could not resist the desire to scale the bluffs 
and see what was beyond, and well did the effort repay us for 
our trouble. The scene was not what we could call beautiful, 
but it was as new and strange as picturesque and bold. We 
found ourselves on high, white piles of pure sand, with which 
the wind and tide, having formed them, had i)layed curious 
pranks. They sloped now gently, then abruptly, toward the 
beach of the yellow, shallow waters. The horizon was relieved 
by the continuation of the banks on which we lived for so long, 
about seventy-five miles below this point, and from here, they 
appear like small islands of sugar. Beyond, a faint blue line 
is visible and that is where the waters of the Atlantic meet the 
horizon in our line of vision. It might be considered bleak and 
desolate for being barren of the common covering that Nature 
provides, but the ever-green cypress trees have taken root 
fre<|uently on the very summit of these white hills, making a 
contrast that is far from unpleasant, considering the scenery 
we have been used to for the last five months. 

After loitering around long enough to get accustomed to 
this new phase of Nature, we continued our march till we 
unexpectedly came upon Jarvis House, which I have mentioned 
before as the house in which Wise died. Here we got a drink 
of water, which refreshed us so much that we concluded to 
go down to the masked battery. I got a sketch of the fort, 
and then we marched back to camp at the rate of four miles 
an hour. We were tired out completely, for we had traveled 
ten miles, and that after being on guard and consequently 
awake most of last night. 

Camp Reno, 
April 3d. 
I have neglected my Journal considerably of late, but I 
have one good excuse and that is nothing of particular interest 
has transi)ircd. I may except the New-Berne affair, but as we 
did not participate in its capture, it has nothing to do with 
my memoirs. We are still at Camp Reno, and are kept in a 
very strict state of discipline, so much so, in fact, that I am 

109 



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sometimes inclined to think they are trying to make regular 
Regulars of us, and indeed they have pretty nearly succeeded. 
There have been a great many changes in the Regiment 
since the Eighth of March. I have noted that Hawkins 
was acting Brigadier and Commander of the Island, and 
it is lately rumored that he has gotten his commission, which 
has caused a great deal of pleasure, and at the same 
time a great deal of apprehension. We feel of course pleasure 
in seeing him promoted, but we dread losing in hiax our Colonel, 
for that would place the command on Lieutenant-Colonel 
(formerly Major) Kimball. I like him very well as a Major 
or Lieutenant-Colonel, but I would not like to see him Com- 
mander of the Regiment, for his changeable moods unfit him 
entirely for command. 

A later rumor has reached us, which, if true, will place 
our Colonel deeper than ever in the hearts of us all. This is 
that Colonel Hawkins will not leave the Regiment for the 
offered commission of Brigadier, that he thinks more of the 
Eagle that commands the Zouaves than of the Star that would 
command five times as many men. Our boys need but the 
confirmation of this to fairly worship the " King of the Hawks." 

Immediately after the fight a Roanoke, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Betts resigned and Major Kimball went to New York and came 
back to us as Lieutenant-Colonel. Captai-i Jardine was pro- 
moted and is now Major. Lieutenant Leahy, who had command 
of our Company in the fight, is our Captain ; Ensign Flemming 
is First Lieutenant, and that is all that just now concerns us. 

When the news of the victory of Roanoke reached New 
York, the inhabitants of that goodly city made a great stir 
about it. Our charge soon got to be famous. It was pictured 
in a dashing style in the " Frank Leslie," and more modestly 
(and more truly) in " Harper's Weekly." For a time the young 
ladies talked about getting up medal for us, but I am inclined 
to think that movement is dropped, and I am not sorry, for in 
truth, though of course I would be proud to carry a medal 
from the war, I do not think we have done enough to deserve it. 
Well, I don't know — we certainly have the honor of having 
110 



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taken the first battery in this war at the point of the bayonet, 
but, deserving it or not, I do not think we will get it, so I 'U 
drop the subject. The Regiment has subscribed about three 
hundred dollars with which to get a sword for Colonel Hawkins, 
and we are unanimous in wishing to make this present worthy 
of the expression of our esteem, and of its intended owner. 
But I have forgotten to speak of another honor that has 
been paid to our boys by the young ladies of New York who 
seem to take a sincere interest in our welfare. This is a beautiful 
new flag. It looks very bright beside our two torn and worn 
old flags, which were just as bright nearly two years ago on 
Fifth Avenue, but which now look and are really vetetans 
beside the new recruit. 

Sunday Evening, April 6th. 
Today has been one of the most pleasant and, I may add, 
joyful days that I have experienced with the Regiment, and I 
don't believe I am far wrong in saying that it has also been the 
best Colonel Hawkins has spent with us. Yesterday, we got 
our much-talked-of and really handsome Zouave uniforms, 
and to-day we have worn them for the first time at Inspection 
and Dress Parade. Colonel Hawkins was present, and of course 
everybody from other Regiments, with a large majority of 
commissioned officers, were there. We did our best to look our 
best, as of course we did. But the orders that were read were 
the best of all, as it was unexpected and appropriate for the 
occasion. Colonel Hawkins took the opportunity to express 
his thanks to the Regiment and his determination to accept 
no higher position than that which commands us. He used 
these words, " I seek no higher position than that which com- 
mands this splendid body of young men." He took this occa- 
sion to speak of the i)revailing habit among the commissioned 
officers, of drinking and tippling. (The Colonel is a strict 
temperance man.) He said that he had seen this for a long 
time, but had said nothing, hoping that the officers would 
see and remedy the evil of the poor exami)le they showed to 
those who ought to take pattern from them. He had waited 

111 



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in vain, and now was the time for him to step in and without 
any partiaUty arrest the progress of the spreading evil. Now 
this speech caused not a man in the ranks to blush, for the 
whole was directed to the officers, and that made us feel par- 
ticularly good. Colonel Hawkins has never exactly agreed 
with the officers, but he could not help himself so far, and they 
had the best of him. But now, when he knows that he has men 
in the ranks whom he could put in any office, he can well feel 
independent of them, and so it is that this is King Hawkins' 
day, for the officers had theirs when the Regiment was in its 
infancy. 

When the parade was over and our ranks broken, some 
of the Company surprised Hawkins with the wildest cheers, 
as he was talking with a knot of officers who had congregated 
around him. He was really so affected that his handkerchief 
was brought out to dry the big drops from his eyes. As soon 
as the first lot disappeared, H and G went up and cheered 
him and went back at a Double-quick, but the best was the 
last. Company B went up in four ranks at a Double-quick, 
gave the nine cheers and the " Zou-Zous " as the others had 
done, and then broke ranks, and with one accord started on a 
breakneck run for quarters, seemingly afraid the Colonel might 
be too much affected, and wishing to give him something to 
laugh at, too. 

Well, this day has demonstrated two things : the Colonel 
thinks too much of us to leave us for the command of a Brigade, 
and his regard is returned by every man in the Regiment. We 
knew before, that he liked us, but now, in spite of the offices 
that are between us, we would die for one another. 

Wednesday Evening, April 9th. 
Last Monday two Companies, H and I, were detailed to 
go on a reconnaissance up the Sound with a detachment of 
six Companies of the Sixth New Hampshire, Major Jardine 
commanding our detachment, and all under the command 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Griffin of the Sixth. We went on board 
the " Virginia," which has been changed into a passable gun- 
112 




PLATE XXVI 





COLONEL RUSH C. HAWKI.NiS 



PRIVATE JOHNSON 




CAPTAIN LAWRENCE LEAHY 



"CIVILLAN" JOHNSON 



PLATE XXVII 



THE LONG ROLL 

boat. We were favored with " Burnside " weather when we 
started, which followed us till we returned, but this did not 
discourage us, for as long as it rained, we took it for an omen 
of good luck. Our destination was Elizabeth City and our 
object was to break up a recruiting-office near the city and 
bag as many " Wild-Cats " as possible. How we succeeded, 
I will try to tell. 

The fleet consisted of six gunboats : the " Stars and 
Stripes," " Commodore Perry," " Eagle," " Morse," " Vir- 
ginia " and one other. We made Elizabeth City Monday 
evening and anchored in the mouth of the river for the night, 
but as early in the morning as we could see, the anchors were 
weighed and our detachment disembarked on the wharf of 
the city. It did not take us long to form, and before the few 
negroes who were in the place were out of their beds, we were 
marching through the desolate streets. I never saw a deserted 
city before and I never want to again, for it was a sorrowful 
sight indeed. The streets that should have been teeming with 
life to give the blocks expression were desolate and oppressive. 
Hardly a white soul was to be seen. A large district was burned 
and a blackened mass of ruins was all tliat was left of many 
blocks of frame and brick buildings. It was a new experience 
for me, novel and not pleasant, for I could not but think how 
many innocent families must now suffer as fugitives before our 
arms. But we had not much time to indulge in such thoughts, 
for we were now in the outskirts of the city, and we did not 
know but that this day might be the last for some of us. We had 
hardly gotten outside the place when two pickets were taken, 
and from them the Major got some information of importance, 
for when we got to a little bridge, he left the prisoners there 
with a guard, and gave us " Double-quick " for some distance 
through ankle-deep mud, for the rain still followed us. We 
came to a halt in front of a large white mansion, and sure 
enough, this was the recruiting-office, but instead of showing 
fight, they showed the white feather, and we bagged about 
twenty-five of them. But Wild-Cats ! They were certainly 
the tamest of anv I could imagine, without a show of uniform 

113 



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and mostly without anything like proper arms or equipments, 
and they presented but a very sorry spectacle to a soldier. 
And most of them seemed to be glad that they were taken. 
It was much regretted that we did not get the Captain, who 
was apparently the only one in the Company who wanted to 
fight, for he ordered the men to fire on us, and when he could 
not get them to, he made tracks for the woods and escaped. 
His name was Banks. As soon as a guard was provided for 
the prisoners, we resumed our march up the road at a very 
rapid rate in spite of the rain and mud. But though we came 
upon a few of their quarters, they had all taken the alarm and 
fled. But not to escape, mind you, for before they knew any- 
thing, they were embraced by the New Hampshire Regiment, 
which had gone up the Pasquotank River in the " Eagle," 
to cut off their retreat. By this maneuver they succeeded in 
taking some sixty prisoners, who ran into them in running away 
from us. A great many of our boys were in ignorance of this | 
plan, and when we heard the firing ahead and came upon them 
in a solid body blocking the road, we thought there was a fight 
in the wind, and skirmishers were deployed. They were soon 
called in, however, for the supposed enemy showed us the Stars 
and Stripes, 

We had now traveled about five miles, and we did not 
advance much further, but returned by the same road, stopping 
at the recruiting-ofiice to refresh ourselves with the bread 
and coffee we found there. 

On the way back, I noticed the " Eagle " with her two ji} 
white pilot-houses looking for all the world like a Southern ^ 
summer home through the trees, and I am certain that a great i. 
many who saw her thought she was the abode of some Southern ■{: 
planter. We returned to the " Virginia " yesterday afternoon f 
and are back in camp, having succeeded in our object beyond t 
our expectations. The elements did not favor us with anything 
but frowns of a dismal sort, for as we embarked in a rain, so 
did we disembark, with the additional pleasure of being nearly 
swamped by the rough sea, in Colonel Hawkins' launch. I 
am sorry that I was not able to make a couple of sketches up 
114 



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there, for I saw two or three points of interest. Excepting 
the city itself, the principal one was the locality of the little 
naval battle where Lynch's fleet was destroyed, for there, 
not far from the city, lay the " Fanny " and the " Curlew," 
their iron skeletons, red with rust, just visible above the water's 
edge. That is the last of the poor " Fanny." 




115 



CHAPTER X 

The Battle of Camden 

April 14th. 

YESTERDAY was Sunday as surely as to-day is Monday, 
and I was on guard. General Burnside arrived suddenly 

with a fleet of gunboats from New-Berne, early in the day. 
He brought a mail for us from Hatteras. In the guard-house, 
as we prepared to give him the usual review and salute, specu- 
lation was rife as to the meaning of his sudden appearance, 
but we did not come to anything more definite than that it 
meant something. Burnside usually means something. About 
four o'clock, the Regiment marched out to the drill grounds 
and was reviewed by the old, slouchy-looking General. We 
were all in our new Sunday -go-to-mee tings and did our prettiest. 
Company K saluted with the usual thirteen rounds, and in 
return he complimented us very warmly. 

After the review, the General stationed himself in front of 
the Colonel's quarters for the Dress Parade, and I had a good 
view of him. His features are well known to us all, and his 
clothing is certainly curious, though perhaps characteristic of 
the man. He was dressed in a suit which reminded me of some 
old fish-peddler, with a huge sack coat, of a faded brown color, 
coming down below the knees, meeting his top-boots, and 
showing his splendid stature to advantage. He was crowned by 
some kind of a black stove-pipe hat bound with a white band. 
It was not a military hat, and it was not and never could have 
been a dress hat, and who it could ever have been built for, 
is hard to imagine. But as plainly as he was dressed, or rather, 
as badly as he tried to dress himself, he never could succeed 
in hiding that magnificent figure. As Company C was escorting 
colors, he went to see the prisoners we had taken at Elizabeth 
City, and I now noticed that he wore nothing to mark his rank 
but the belt and his famous silver-mounted pistol. When he 
got back, he found the Regiment released from their muskets 
and ready to cheer him, and heartily did they do so as many 
as twelve or fifteen times, and they seemed to be delighted to 

116 



THE LONG ROLL 

get a peep at the General's bald pate, as he gracefully lifted 
the wonderful hat and waved it in return, as General Phelps 
used to do at Newport News. 

An order was read out on Dress Parade which throws a 
little li^'lit on the sudden appearance of General Burnside. 
The wiiole force of this post is to be held in marching order, 
and with three days' provisions, be ready to start after six 
o'clock to-morrow night ; and as this will be a dangerous as 
well as a fatiguing reconnaissance, so the order states, no man 
but one able to bear any amount of fatigue will be allowed 
to go. So nnich we know. We will know more or nothing at 
all, tliree or four days from now. 

June 30th. 

Yes. Not only April, but IVIay as well, has gone, and here 
I am at the end of June, and I have no doubt that the Journal 
lias entertained doubts as to my existence, for it has been tossed 
about in my knapsack for two months and a half and never 
i'ven been looked at. This conduct might well imply some 
serious doubts, coming as it does after the order noted over 
two months ago. The interval of space on the page is not long 
between my note of the evening of April Fourteenth and the 
lines I am now writing, but the interval of time has been as 
long as the dates imply, and in that interval events have trans- 
|)ired not only in the country at large wliich in these records 
1 do not pretend to chronicle, but in the little world composed 
of our own Regiment. Many a poor fellow, in full life and spirits 
when I last penned notes in this Journal, is now no more. Cruel 
War has placed them far lieyond our reacii, and it is of this that 
I have soinetiiing to say, for I came nearer to the brink of death 
than, so far as I am al>le to know, I ever was before. I will now 
commence to trace, as nearly as I can, the events in which I 
have {)layed my humble part. It must be from memory, for 
I have not been able to take my notes since the Nineteenth of 
Aj)ril. 

On the Eighteenth of April — my birthday, by the way — 
the thr<^ Regiments composing Colonel Hawkins' Brigade, 
the Eighty-ninlli New York \'olunteers, the Sixth New Hamp- 

117 



THE LONG ROLL 

shire Volunteers and our own, joined the Twenty-first Massa- 
chusetts and the Fifty-first Pennsylvanians, which had come 
from New-Berne with a portion of the Marine Artillery, the 
whole commanded by General Reno. We embarked in a fleet 
of half a dozen transports and as many more gunboats, and 
started from here toward Elizabeth City. We were on the 
" Ocean Wave " and we found ourselves in quarters close 
enough ; but I have a peculiar knack of getting myself a lone 
corner, which I did on this occasion, and settled myself down 
and was soon fast asleep. From this I was aroused about 
eleven o'clock to " Fall in." We were in the Pasquotank River, 
about two miles below Elizabeth City, and here we were to land. 
All the small boats were now brought into requisition and 
silently they were filled with dusky shadows intermixed with 
shining steel, glistening brightly against the large, beautiful 
moon. The boats were propelled almost noiselessly toward 
the shore, giving place to the other boats, which were likewise 
filled to overflowing with human freight and firelocks. But 
alas, I can not make it all romance, for the water was so shallow, 
as we approached the shore, that we had to leave the boats 
and splash ashore as best we could in knee-deep water for about 
a mile, so you may come to the conclusion that we got ashore 
on rather " wet-bottomstandings." Owing to this method of 
landing, which could not be accomplished very well without 
some time as well as noise, it was quite a while before the Regi- 
ment could get together. It took the Marine Artillery and our 
battery longer still to get the cannons ashore, so that it must 
have been nearly two o'clock Saturday morning before the 
column got orders to go forward. Meanwhile, the advance 
guard was thrown out, and I had the honor of being one chosen 
from our Company. This advance was, in the present instance, 
composed of two privates from each Company, with a Sergeant 
and a Captain. Lieutenant Klingsoehr, * a brother-in-law of 
General Siegel, had the latter honorable position, and com- 



* First Lieutenant Victor Klingsoehr, Company A. There is some doubt as to this name on 
account of the peculiar spelling of it in the original Journal, but it is here given, as the only name 
in the list of wounded at Camden that in any way resembles the name as written. 

118 



THE LONG ROLL 

manded us, and Colonel Hawkins could not have imposed the 
important trust upon a better man, for he is as cool as a cucum- 
ber, as brave as a lion, and it is impossible to surprise him or 
to take him off his guard. Our guide was a negro, apparently 
of some intelligence, but either through his ignorance or his 
dcv]) cunning, we became his dupes at last. We were sent out 
immediately to reconnoiter the woods and the road we were 
to take. 

By this time I had gotten an inkling as to the object of the 
expedition, and it turned out to be pretty nearly correct. The 
Brigade was in two divisions : the force from New-Berne was 
commanded by General Reno in person, and took a different 
route, though where they landed I do not know. At any rate 
they stole a march on us, through the duplicity of our guide. 
The forces from Roanoke were commanded by our Colonel, 
and it was tlie intention, it seem, that we should take the 
advance and meet General Reno or join him from a different 
direction, and by a rapid march fall upon a body of Georgians 
and Wild-Cats who were stationed to hold the Locks of the 
Dismal Swamp Canal. *' Bag 'em," if we could, at any rate, 
dislodge them and destroy the locks and the bridges, thus 
cutting off communication between Norfolk and the Counties 
of Camden, Currituck and Pasquotank, and by so doing clear 
the vicinity for our intended operations in the rear of Norfolk, 
the then great Confederate stronghold. 

After almost three hours of tedious waiting, we heard the 
order, *' Forward March," and then the solid trampling of feet. 
We were then deployed as skirmishers on either side of the 
road in the woods, and instructed to always keep within sight 
of the head of the column. Now, you, who read this, will 
probably be at home in your snug little parlor feeling all at 
peace and secure, and if you are a lover of adventure and 
romance, and on the top f)f that, have never seen service, 
you will in all proliability think it a fine situation to be in the 
Advance Guard, and if I judge you correctly, you will " poh- 
poh " me when I say that it is not. Especially, with the style 
of warfare with which we are contending. Now, I am a very 

119 



THE LONG ROLL 

good soldier, so my comrades say, and I am proud of it, but 
I lack one great qualification, or more properly may I term it, 
inclination, and that is I am not favorably inclined to getting 
killed. I would rather live than die, any day. I don't exactly 
glory in the idea of being a target for the Southern Chivalry, 
even though they are poor marksmen, nor do I fancy being 
tickled with one of those things, I beg a thousand pardons, 
I mean Bayonets ; and for these several reasons, I do not wish 
the masculine reader, in general, or the feminine reader, in 
particular, to laugh at me when I say it is not nice to be deployed 
as skirmisher in the woods at night, when a log looks like a 
masked battery, and a pile of wood looks like a pile of men ; 
and even in the open field, you are not at any moment sure 
but that you hear the trampling of hoofs and discern the appear- 
ance of a dashing guerrilla band, who could be on top of the poor 
Advance, have him slashed to pieces and be off again, before 
he could get any support from the column. But, mind you, 
I had not been chosen, had I not first volunteered. And, reader,! 
if you should chance to get into a similar position and are 
constituted like myself, not caring to get killed — not particularly 
liking it, I mean — just summon Reason to your aid, comfort 
yourself with the fact that you have but one life to be taken 
from you, and under whatever circumstances a few moments 
may place you, make up your mind to defend that as long as 
you can ; for the way I look at it, when a person makes as good 
a struggle for his life as he knows how and gets worsted, he will 
not be accused by the Almighty of committing suicide, anyway. 
What I mean is, that the Good God will make many allowances 
for a brave man's shortcomings when he dies in a hurry. But 
I am wide of the track. 

The first incident that is worth mentioning transpired after 
we had marched about two miles from the landing. A Rebel 
picket ran the gauntlet of our skirmishers, whether intentionally 
or accidentally, I can not say, but he did it in gallant style. 
The column was marching up a road between two fields and 
approaching a dark line of woods in front, and we were deployed 
on each side of the road, when he shot like a streak of lightning 
120 



THE LONG ROLL 

right before us. His horse was white, wliich made him plainly 
discernible for the moment against the dark background. We 
fired al)out six shots at him, ai)parently without effect. For 
my part I withheld my fire. It is impossible for me to say 
whotlior he returned fire or not, but my comrade, Dennis, 
says he only fired at him because he thought the bold horseman 
was firing at me. If that was the case, I did not know it. 

At daybreak, while our Regiment was stopping a moment 
to rest, one of our boys accidentally shot himself while fooling 
with his musket, but he wjis not dangerously wounded. At 
eight o'clock, we had made about twelve miles from the landing 
place, and the order was given to halt for breakfast. We were 
abreast of a neat, two-story cottage of fair dimensions, and we 
were glad to take advantage of the nice grass and cool shade. 
I felt more like having a smoke than anything to eat, and I 
asked the Lieutenant for permission to light my pipe. This 
he readily gave, but with the injunction not to trespass on my 
power by behaving " unlike a gentleman." I hope he would 
not have thought this necessary, had he known me better. I 
knocked at the door, and waited, I thought a reasonable time, 
and then I knocked again, this time in true soldier style with 
the butt of my musket, and at length the door was opened by 
a fair re{)resentative of a Southerner, with somewhat of a 
military moustache, so I thought, at the moment his face flashed 
into mine. 

The next moment I was attracted by something else : this 

was a peep at a pretty leg — well, d n it, it is out ! A skirt, 

the rustling of woman's dress, the soft closing of a door and 
turning of a key. W\ this was in the interval of the opening 
of the door and my " Good morning, Sir ! " but the le — , the 
skirt and the sound of the key produced a smile that he could 
not help seeing and knowing the meaning. " With your per- 
mission. Sir, I will light my pipe." 

To this speech the dignified Southerner apologized for having 
no matdics, and showed me to the kitchen, which was exactly 
where 1 wanted to go. At the sight of the gentleman's morning 
meal, I got " grub-struck," to use the slang of the camp ; and 

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instead of smoking, I took to eating nice hot cakes, which I am 
sure tasted as good to me as they do to Jeff Davis. 

" Dinah," said I, while I was devouring hoe cake, " was 
your master ever in the army ? " 

*♦ Yes IVIassa." 

"Soi'WeU, was he an officer?" 

" Well, I de 'no', Massa, but de call him Lieutenant." 

" Lord love you, Dinah, won't you give me another cake? " 
and with it in my hand I started out to find Lieutenant Kling- 
soehr, forgetting all about my smoke. He went to the house 
immediately to see the Lieutenant and I went back to the 
kitchen to see Dinah. 

" Dinah, I hear the Georgians are up here waiting for us, 
is that so ? " 

** Yes, Massa," she said in an earnest tone; " de tole me 
you-uns would n't dare to cum so far up yer." 

" They will find out whether we will or not before night," 
and I filled myself with cake and milk, and that done, I filled 
my pipe and had a delicious smoke. 

Colonel Hawkins now came up to communicate with the 
Lieutenant, who told him the Southerner was formerly a Lieu- 
tenant in the Rebel Army. Our Colonel no sooner heard it 
than he rode into the yard and saluted the ex-officer. He recog- 
nized him as one of the officers who had been taken at Hatteras 
and released. " Well, Lieutenant Bell," said he, " you did not 
expect me up this way so soon, did you ? " Bell said he did not 
expect him quite so soon, and he hoped the Colonel was well, 
and what they said after that did not concern me, nor need it 
you. 

Fifteen minutes was all the time we were allowed for break- 
fast, and it passed soon enough, we all found out, and the 
column was on the road again. We had not marched fifteen 
minutes before we heard the loud echoing boom of artillery, 
making the air whistle with the awful moan, and the ground 
tremble with the reverberation of the explosives. 

Our gunboats were probably at work in the river. For 
about an hour this cannonading was kept up, and it probably 
122 



THE LONG ROLL 

gave credit to the rumors which were now flying like wildfire 
before our column through the country, that the Zouaves were 
coming. The sound of artillery seemed to give fresh legs to 
our brave fellows, for we were now pushing on faster than ever, 
in hopes of reaching our destination sooner. 

At this juncture we overtook four " Yogles," as we call 
them, with two miserable old shotguns among them. To our 
questions as to where they were bound for, they were fools 
enough to say they were going to muster. " Here, Punyers, 
and you, Johnson, take these four men and report them and 
their intention to Colonel Hawkins," ordered the Lieutenant. 
After considerable persuasion they were induced to comply 
with the ro(|uest, although they did so as if consenting to go 
to the guillotine. We found the Colonel a little in advance of 
the Regiment, talking to a couple of the Chivalry, and to his 
puzzled look of inquiry, I told him, " Lieutenant Klingsoehr 
reports these four men to you ; they were going to muster." 
He looked at them for a moment and then at us, as if to mark 
the difference in appearance, and then exclaimed : " My God ! 
do you want to fight us ? Do go about your business, for surely 
you can't fight us." Now, if I had been the Southerners, I 
would have taken the Colonel at his word ; but they were so 
dumbfounded that they did not know what to do or to say, 
and while they were in this dilemma, the Colonel changed his 
mind and sent them to the rear of the column with the others 
who had been picked up here and there. 

Again we pressed on, but now we all began anxiously to 
inquire how many miles more it was to our destination. The 
inhabitants told us. nine miles, at one village; and then we 
would march a mile farther perhaps, and meet some one who 
would .say it was twelve miles. And it did seem to our weary 
legs that when we had walked twelve miles we were as far 
from (Jamden or Ri\or Bridge as ever, and at length we got 
up a very melancholy joke about the length of miles in Dbcie. 
We compared them to the old riddle about the ditch, " the more 
you cut it the longer it grows," and it did seem as though the 
farther we walked the greater the distance to go. The guide 

123 



THE LONG ROLL 

was remonstrated with and threatened, but he declared that 
he knew no other way but the one we were traveUng. The 
merciless sun poured down on us continual streams of fire, 
regardless of our burdens and exposed heads. Our boys began 
to drop out from sheer exhaustion, and still there was no 
apparent diminishing in the distance. At last, the Colonel 
gave the order to halt where we could refresh ourselves with 
water and cool our hands and faces. He had walked with the 
men since morning, and he now threw himself down on his 
cloak, and while he took off his shoes and stockings, vowed 
that if there ever was a Regiment could march, his could. As 
our Advance was moving up to an appropriate distance, our 
scout came back and reported a flag in sight, but he could not 
make out if it was the " Stars and Stripes " or the " Stars and 
Bars." I was dispatched to report accordingly to the Colonel, 
who ordered Lieutenant Khngsoehr to make a careful recon- 
naissance and find out if we had friend or foe before us. Just 
as I had delivered the order to the Lieutenant, the Colonel 
came up himself, and we formed around him as an escort, and 
moved cautiously forward. 

Owing to the crooked roads we had taken, Reno's command 
was ahead of us, while we labored under the delusion that there 
could be nobody but the enemy in front, for the General had 
given us the Advance. So this caution on our part was warrant- 
able. We had not gone far when we met Reno's rear guard, 
with the General among them. Explanations proved that we 
had marched about ten miles needlessly, all on account of a 
black scoundrel or fool. I will not repeat either the General's or 
the Colonel's exact words concerning this guide, for if they by 
chance should see this page, it might cause them to blush. It 
sounded for some time as if a bullet would be far too good for 
him, and a piece of hemp was talked of, but whether the poor 
fellow was despatched, or just skedaddled, I can not tell, for 
I have never seen him since, nor heard of him, either. 

Colonel Hawkins asked General Reno where the Rebels 
were, and the General replied, " They are nowhere " ; but he 
found out his mistake before night. We were ordered to halt 
124 



THE LONG ROLL 

and take it easy while the General pushed the reconnaissance 
a little farther with his comparatively fresh men. So we 
accordingly stopped and proceeded to take a little refreshment 
while (ieneral Reno ri'suined iiis march, for now we gave up 
all idea of having a fight that day. We rested about an hour 
when we again fell into line and moved forward at an easy pace. 
We had marched thus about a mile when a solemn "Boom-m-m" 
followed by a moan and a sharp report rang savagely on our 
startled cars. The Advance heard the report in silence, and 
the only evidence they gave of their having heard it was by 
quickening their pace. A few minutes elapsed when another 
report, seemingly louder than the first one, was heard. The 
same interval of time, and another ball moaned through the 
air. But now we hear .something in a different tone. " That 's 
our metal ; we know that ring ; Company K and the Marine 
Artillery have been challenged to a game of ball and they accept. 
The ball is up ; they are pitching lively at long range. Well, 
we '11 be there to take a hand in it." 

Here comes General Reno's Aide telling the men to fall in 
with their Companies. Here we are in front of the battlefield. 
We can see the smoke of the Rebel guns ; look ! there at the 
edge of the woods, there 's where their battery is. Look out ! 
there is one of their messages coming — as if one could look out. 
Too low, it falls short. "Clear the road, lads, the Marine 
Artillery is bringing another gun into action." Go back, it 
will be our turn by and by. 

We are now dismi.ssed by Lieutenant Klingsoehr and told to 
report ourselves to our respective Companies. Our little band 
had grown intimate and now we were about to part, some of 
us never to meet again on this side of the grave. 

Tiie General had already disposed his Brigade and had 
given them their various tasks to perform in order of battle, 
and now our Regiment emerges from the hollow into the open 
field. We are moving forward into the very teeth of their guns. 
"Countermarch by file left !" is the order. What does this mean ? 
But it is all right. The Colonel smiles at our inquisitive faces 
and savs, " We will try and euchre them." Verv good, if you can. 

125 



THE LONG ROLL 

After countermarching, the Regiment filed to the left and 
took the outskirts of the woods on the right of the Rebel 
position, thus menacing their left flank. They were up to our 
game, however, and while we were slowly pushing our way 
through the thick woods and thicker underbrush, they amused 
themselves by pitching solid ball at us. They made a good 
deal of noise about it, but did n't hurt any one. It showed 
how warmly they felt for us, for instead of returning the salu- 
tations of our battery, they let us have it as thickly as 
they were able. While we were making very slow progress 
through the outskirts of the woods, the balls whistled 
over us as only a cannon ball can, sometimes cutting off 
tree- tops over our very heads, and with a solid thump or 
crash as they either embedded themselves in the earth, or 
came in contact with some stump or tree, near, in fact, all 
around us. 

We were finally ordered to halt while the scouts and officers 
could reconnoiter a little. We were ordered not to expose our- 
selves to the fire, by showing the red caps, and the tall under- 
brush enabled us to comply. No sooner had we disposed of 
ourselves than the cannonading ceased; even our own guns 
ceased talking, and there was a calm — that calm, still and 
impressive, that combatants take when they are drawing breath, 
summoning all their energies for the death struggle that is to 
come. Just as the ship's crew prepare in silence, but with reso- 
lute hearts to resist the fresh fury of the Storm King, when he 
pauses to concentrate all his power in a tiger-like dart to crush 
the human foes who crest his billows, so were we nerving our- 
selves for the fearful onset which would decide for victory or 
death : so were we preparing to storm the jaws of Hell, which 
in silence were opening before us. 

Here comes Colonel Kimball on horseback from the field. 
He has been reconnoitering on his own hook. Quiet; there, 
he is talking to the Colonel. Hark ! the Colonel is turning 
to speak to us : 

" Boys, are you able and willing to make a charge? " 

'* Yes !" from five hundred voices. 
126 



THE LONG ROLL 

"Fall in !" ordered Colonel Kimball in his peculiar fighting 
tone. 

"Fall in!" echoed the Captains of Companies. 

** Fall in ! " re-echoed the Sergeants, and the orders were 
quickly obeyed. 

" Forward March ! " was the next command, and we were 
moving out in the field,, in files of four deep, abreast of the 
enemy's position. 

Like a bunch of fire-crackers, the enemy's muskets com- 
menced, by one, twos and threes, to crack till the whole bunch 
got going on either side. Out of this convincing din, came the 
order " Trail arms ! Battalions into line ! " and as the enemy's 
battery gave us a volley. Colonel Kimball rode up to the head 
of the line, waved his sword over his head, and with a voice 
that was heard above the fearful din, gave the order, " Charge 
Bayonets ! " 

The reply was a yell that would defy the fiends of Hell, 
and as we rushed forward, it drowned the noise of both musketry 
and cannon. A moment and the Rebel guns flashed, and our 
Regiment was down on " its stomach " like one man, and the 
shower of grape passed over it. Captain Leahy swung his 
sword over his head, and with a voice and expression I shall 
never forget, shouted, " Give 'em the cold steel. Lads ! " and 
with another yell, we were at them again. 

It was then as if some superhuman hand, capable of holding 
bushels of bullets and grape in the palm, itself unseen, was 
hurling them upon us. So did that storm of leaden and iron 
hail fall around and pelt us. Every inch of the air seemed 
thick with whistling messengers of death. It is as impossible 
for me to describe, as it is for me to conceive, how a person 
on that field could escape without being hit in a dozen places. 
.\gain the Rcl)ol guns belched forth a storm of iron into our 
tet^th, and again the Regiment was down. Up again, and at 
them more furiously than ever. 

If it were possible for an eye-witness to view us now with 
impassioned eye ! What a wonderful, what a terrible and mag- 
nificent spectacle would he behold. Amidst this ringing grape, 

127 



THE LONG ROLL 

singing bullets, angry " Minie " balls, the roar of cannon, rattle 
of musketry, yells of combatants, shrieks of the dying, groans 
of the wounded, all commingling into one horrible din ! Fear- 
ful ! Terrible ! Indescribable ! 

How was it possible that men lived here ! What wonderful 
courage or passion induces men, mortals, to rush into this 
furnace of Hell, my poor mind can not fathom. A few moments 
ago, say two moments ago, sixty as brave men as ever handled 
a musket were enjoying the privilege of drawing breath ; now 
one small cog has caught in the revolving wheel of Time, and 
they have fallen, some never to move again. And this is War ! 

Up to this moment, I may say during the whole engagement, 
I never saw the enemy, although I tasted their lead. This may 
seem strange, but there is an explanation. When our Regiment 
charged, the Rebels were in their first position, which they 
had chosen with admirable forethought, and cunningly fortified. 
They had placed themselves in a ditch behind a fence and this 
they set on fire, so while they could see us through the smoke 
and pour in their fire, we could not see them or know where 
they were, except as their bullets guided us. From here they 
poured in that splendid fire, but glory to our Regiment, it did 
not annihilate us ! They, seeing that the Northern " Mudsills " 
would be apt to use the bayonets if they could not keep them 
off, fired in retreat, falling back on their batteries in the edge 
of the woods. So that, when our fellows had exhausted the 
little vigor there was left in them by charging over a space 
of three hundred yards, they found the Rebels as far away as 
ever, and still pouring their murderous volley into our well- 
thinned ranks. 

At this juncture I received a wound in the right wrist by 
a musket ball, which caused my musket to drop out of my hand. 
I was much excited at the time and have no distinct recollection 
of feeling any pain, but I remember the moment I was struck 
and fancied I could see the baU enter. I could almost swear 
I heard it sing. Anyway I saw the black spot of blood where 
it entered the flesh. " Well, if this is the only one I am going 
to get, I am lucky," was my first thought. I may have said it, 
128 





Tlirof-Guii Battery 



PLATE XXVIIl 



Jf^"- 




.*%f'{ 



The Burning of ^^'inton 










^i^' 



Earthwork; Built by Sir Walter Raleigh's Colony, Roanoke Island 



PLATE XXIX 



THE LONG ROLL 

but of that I am not sure. Somehow or other, it entered my 
mind that I was of no more use and that I would be safer lying 
down than standing, and accordingly down I went, for I believe 
I told you before, that I have no particular liking for getting 
killed, even when it is necessary, and much less when it is not. 
While the ReginuMit was pushing on, my thoughts happened 
to stumble on the idea that if I had a revolver, I might make 
another a I tempt at getting killed, but as I had nothing that 
I could use with my left hand, I commenced to think about 
leaving the field, as I had a right to do. But the bullets had 
by no means ceased to sing over our heads, and I did hate the 
notion of a bullet in the back. That it might hurt, never entered 
my mind as it does now. It was only the mortification I would 
feel in showing the doctor such a wound, that bothered my 
muddled brain. But by this time, I found out where the bullet 
had lodged, and as the pain commenced to bother me and the 
blood flowed rather freely, I concluded to leave the field and 
find a doctor, even at the risk of the bullet in the back. When 
I got on my legs I started to run, but I found myself so weak 
that I soon changed Double-quick to a walk, although the 
bullets were still plowing up the ground around me and whistling 
just as close to me through the air, I luckily escaped, however, 
the painful necessity of showing the doctor a few holes in my 
back. 

I found Doctor Humphreys, but as he was very busy ban- 
daging our fellows as fast as he could, and I knew very well 
he would be em|)loyeil for some time, I made up my mind not 
to troul)le him, but to find some of the other surgeons who were 
not so busy, for the very good reason that most all of the other 
Regiments were too tired to fight. I got to one of the farm 
hospitals and showed the doctor where the ball was, and asked 
him if lie would be kind enough to extract it, " for our surgeon 
has his hands full." 

" Certainly, in a moment. Sit down. Just in from the 

field? How goes the battle?" 

" Well, Doctor, our fellows are very tired, and I am afraid 
*f 

129 



THE LONG ROLL 

" Oh ! Nonsense, my boy, don't you fear ; it '11 all turn 
out right. Here, I can attend to you now." 

With a gash and a few good jerks he laid the killer before 
me on the table and commenced to staunch the blood. While 
he was doing up my wrist, I lost myself in contemplation of 
my good luck in getting off so easily with only this. And again, 
if I had received it one-half of an inch above, my hand might 
— yes, must — have gone; and one inch below, it would have 
entered my side and killed me; so here I was between two 
half-inches which, one way or the other, would have been but 
the alternative between life crippled, or death. I was aroused 
from this reverie by a tremendous volley of musketry. " My 
God, if that is the Rebels, may God help us ! " and out I rushed 
from the hospital. " My God be praised ! " and I shed tears 
of joy, for there was the Sixth New Hampshire Regiment 
pouring hell after them, and our own Regimental Flag was 
flying in the Rebel position. The battle was over, and the 
victory was ours. 

Thus did we gloriously commemorate the anniversary of 
the Battle of Lexington. 

When I quit, the Rebels had retreated to the edge of the 
woods, and our fellows saw that it was nothing but self-murder 
to try to get an honest shake at the Georgians with the bayonets. 
Our Colonel had fallen, and also Captain Graham, Captain 
Hammill and Adjutant Gadsden,* the latter mortally wounded. 
The lucky ones who were left filed off to the right, and while 
the Bugle sounded " Rally on the Colors," the first ones who 
reached the woods entertained the Georgians with a little play 
of musketry in a bushwhacking style. This was to give the 
others time to comply with the Bugle, and when the Rebels 
saw our boys ready to charge them again, they took up their 
line of march for Norfolk. The splendid volley that frightened 
me more than a little in the hospital, which proved to be the 
New Hampshire boys, hurried them off. 

* Colonel Rush C. Hawkins, wounded left arm. 
Captain A. S. Graham, Co. A. Wounded arm and leg. Camden, April 19th. 1862. 
Captain William H. Hammill. Co, F. Wounded left arm. 
Adjutant Charles A. Gadsden. Killed. Camden. 

130 



THE LONG ROLL 

Owing to our inability to pursue, they carried off all their 
guns, leaving only the dead, twenty of them, showing tliat the 
havoc on their side was no less than on ours. They were most 
shockingly mutilated by our shrapnel, I am told, which was 
used by Company K and the Marine Artillery, Captain Howard 
commanding. 

I began to hear vague ramors that Colonel Hawkins was 
badly wounded and that Major Jardine and our Lieutenant- 
Colonel were killed. If these proved true, how many of the 
men might I not expect to find dead or dying. At any rate, 
these rumors were enough to make me feel all anxiety to know 
the truth, and I started for the hospital. And what a sight 
niet my eyes ! Men mutilated in every way were lying about, 
those who could, standing, others stretched out on blankets, 
patiently waiting for the doctor, who was busy dressing the 
worst cases who filled the interior of the miserable apartment. 
There, among a motley lot of suffering men, lay Adjutant 
Gadsden, with as serene a countenance as if he were lying in 
his own tent. I thought he could not be dangerously wounded, 
and so I spoke to him. " Adjutant, this is rather hard, and 
your first, too." He had only been in the Regiment a week. 
" Yes," he answered ; '* it is my first, and it is hard," I have 
often asked myself if he knew then that he was going to die 
within the halt-hour. 

I found that Colonel Kimball was all right and Major 
Jardine too, and Colonel Hawkins was wounded in the left 
arm close to the shoulder. He was lying outside on a rubber 
blanket, looking smilingly at the scene around him, but in 
his smile there was an unmistakable sign of sympathy. 
During the fight, he was heard to exclaim, *' My poor boys, 
I won't have fifty of them left." He saw I was wounded and 
spoke to me about it, and I, of course, explained and showed 
him the bullet. " Well," said he ! " you are a very, very lucky, 
lucky young man." I admitted that I thought so too, and 
asked him where his wound was. The report that Colonel 
Kimball was killed probably sprung from the fact that his 
horse was completelv riddlcMJ with grape and killed instantly 

131 



THE LONG ROLL 

in the early part of the action, and some one who had seen him 
fall must have reported his death to us at the lower hospital. 

Colonel Kimball was very indignant, though, that he had 
escaped so easily, for he walked up to Colonel Hawkins and 
said : " You are a lucky man, Colonel. I 'd give a thousand 
dollars if I had your wound. I am afraid my friends in New 
York will think me a coward because I never can get hit." 
And it is a pity that some Rebel would not oblige him by putting 
a couple of bullets into him just to satisfy his friends in New 
York. 

While standing at the hospital, the thought struck me that I 
ought to carry a musket back to camp. And as though I were able 
to do so, I started off to the field where our men were scattered 
in groups, picking up the dead or carrying the wounded off 
toward the hospital. I saw Captain Leahy and Lieutenant 
Flemming conversing, and as I approached them, the Captain 
accosted me, sternly looking at me through his small, gray, 
twinkling eyes, " Where have you been, sir? " 

I saw in a moment that he suspected me to be a skulker, 
at which I got a little indignant and answered in his own style, 
" To the hospital, sir." 

This did not throw any lighter shade on his suspicion; 
for when a Regiment goes into action, those who get a sudden 
sick turn, generally get off with the excuse of helping the doctor. 

" Well, sir, what have you been doing there .f* " 

" Getting my ball cut out, sir," and at the same time I 
threw aside my coat sleeve and showed the bloody bandage. 

He acknowledged his mistake, not in words, but in the 
complete change of manner. 

" You ought to have a sling for that. Have n't you got 
one? " 

** No, sir ; but if this sack will serve the purpose, would you 
be kind enough to fix it around my neck? " 

" Certainly, I will," said he, kindly ; " but what are you 
doing out here, man — don't you see it is going to rain ? " 

I looked up at the sky, and to my astonishment saw that 
it was threatening a shower. 
132 



THE LONG ROLL 

" I am ashamed to confess that I came out for a musket, 
for in the confusion I lost mine." 

" And what do you want with a musket? When you want 
one I will give one to you ; but meanwhile just you go to the 
hospital and keoj) out of the rain, and never mind the nmsket, 
unless you want to carry one off the field." 

The ridiculousness of my errand now for the first time 
struck mc, and as the rain coniinenced to fall I started for the 
hospital. I have related this incident that you may see that 
I was almost in a " befoozlcd " state, for whether I was powder- 
drunk or diz/.v from loss of blood or merely excited, T can not 
tell. 

The storm that had been brewing now descended on us 
in its sublime fury. The lightning flash now took the place of 
the quick flasliings of artillery and musketry. Loud peals of 
Heaven's artillery shook the air, the woods and the ground, 
as if trying to sliow that man's fearful doings could by no means 
throw Nature into tl»e shade. The thunder shocks broke the 
frowning clouds of overhanging vapor which now poured down 
in streams, seemingly desirous of wa.shing the blood from the 
face of the earth which was crying aloud to the world on high ; 
wiping our sins away, and by tears trying to atone and cleanse 
the field of its bond of crime. 

Our wounded were conveyed to a nmch better hospital 
across \\w field, where everything possible was done for the 
poor follows. liut alas, for so many, the.se attentions were of 
no avail. It was piteous to hear strong men, so lately healthy 
and able to help them.selves, calling " for Heaven's sake " 
for .some one to put an end to their misery. It was awful to 
^tand among men whose .souls were departing, with apparently 
so little attention paid to them; and when I think of it, I 
wonder how it is possible to be so indifferent to such scenes 
as this. But no one who has not gone through what we have, 
can suspect how nuich a battle hardens the sensitive element 
in our natures. And what is this that I have described but a 
mere skirmish compared witii other battles that have been 
fought latelv in this unholv struggle. This is but a matter of 

133 



THE LONG ROLL 

tens and hundreds, not worthy of a woodcut in an illustrated 
paper. What, then, must be the misery where it is hundreds 
killed and tens of hundreds wounded? What then, when 
hundreds of thousands are engaged and in proportion have a 
struggle like ours? But I can not go further, for it sickens 
my heart to contemplate these horrors, and please allow me 
to take a lighter strain. 

I was standing alongside a corner of the hospital listening 
to Colonel Howard and Colonel Kimball, who were talking 
about their different experiences in the battle, and I was much 
interested in their conversation. It had not entirely ceased 
raining, and so I had my coat skirt thrown over my arm, which 
caused a mistake similar to that of Lieutenant Leahy's. Colonel 
Kimball, seeing nothing the matter with me apparently, thought 
that I ought to be doing something, and asked me where my 
Company was and where I belonged. I confessed that I did 
not know where my company was, and that I presumed I 
belonged at the hospital for the present at least. The sling 
now caught his eye, and very much like Captain Leahy he 
wished to atone for the wrong he had done me. Turning to a 
drummer standing by, he ordered, " Kill a chicken and give 
that wounded man something to eat, sir." I told him the trouble 
would be unnecessary, as I did not feel hungry. I commenced 
to suffer a little from the swelling in the hand, for inflammation 
had set in, and as the hand grew larger, the bandage grew tighter. 
The doctors were all busy, and I dared not touch the bandage 
for fear of starting the blood again. I found some medical 
assistant, however, and he tore the bandage looser and I experi- 
enced a happy relief from pain. 

I wondered what could be the idea of all the feathers that 
were strewn all over the house, and for some time I could not 
solve the mystery. On going into a little bedroom, I saw that 
a cannon ball had gone through the house, smashing through 
two walls and lodging in a chimney In passing through the 
bedroom it took both head and footboard from the bedstead, 
and plowed the feather bed just where a person would be, thus 
scattering the feathers all over the house. As soon as I saw 
134 



THE LONG ROLL 

this bed, although it was minus feathers, I determined to have 
a snooze on it, for / was tired. Ten minutes after I tumbled 
onto it, I was fast asleep. From a sweet and refreshing but 
short sleep, I was aroused by the doctor about eleven o'clock, 
and told that we must get into an ambulance, for as re-enforce- 
ments were coming from Norfolk large enough to smash us, 
we had orders to leave. I was packed into one of the three 
ambulances with Captain Graham, Captain Hammill, Lieu- 
tenant Bartholomew and Private Hartenfals of Captain Ham- 
mill's Company.* Both Captains were wounded in the arms, 
the Lieutenant in the head, and Hartenfals had both thumbs 
taken off with one bullet while in the act of firing his piece. 
There were others, but I don't recollect them, only that there 
were enough to fill the wagon so brimful that it was an impossi- 
bility to stretch one way or the other, like slaves closely packed 
on a slave-ship. 

Ye gods ! If I live to be as old as Methuselah I will never 
forget this night's ride. It rained a slow, dripping, drizzly 
rain all night long. The darkness could almost be felt, and 
the roads — God knows how the driver could see them ! — were 
as rough as tiiey are in Minnesota. The wheels would tumble 
into gullies to the wheel-cobs, and give a lurch that often 
threatened a soft bed in the mire for us, or some like catastrophe 
for every moment. God only knows how the poor fellows with 
broken and shattered bones stood it. Would we ever get back 
to the landing, was often asked, and it did seem as though the 
end would never come. But as sure as there is an end coming to all 
things, .so there was for us. Just as day was breaking through 
the fleeting clouds, we came within sight of the landing-place. 
But what a species of mud-humans did we look to be now ! 
Some of the fellows had, in the Egyptian darkness, stumbled, 
rolled and tumbled in the gutters and in mire and clay a dozen 
times or so, and certainly we were as nearly bedaubed from 
head to foot as I could ever wish to see anybody. Our wounded 
were soon stowed snugly away in the little cabin of the " Ocean 

• Socond Lirutenanf Thomas L. Bartholomew. Co. B. Wounded, Caiudin. April 19th. 
Hcnrj- HartcnfaLs, Co. F. Both thumb." amputatrd, Caradeii. 

135 



THE LONG ROLL 

Wave," where we had our wounds dressed by the time we got 
to Roanoke again. 

Our losses were heavy in this expedition. Our Regiment 
had eleven killed, about fifty wounded, and enough missing 
to make the total about seventy-five, and add to this the few 
the four other Regiments lost, making the sum total about 
one hundred twenty -five. And what had we gained? That is 
hard telling, although the bridge that it was our object to 
destroy was destroyed by the enemy to cut themselves ofif 
from pursuit, and that was all our gain. But ask us what we 
did, and I can answer you, even though we will not get one-half 
the credit for this expedition that we got for our charge on this 
Island, for the very good reason that at Camden there were no 
material results. We worked hard enough and lost enough, 
the reader knows. In a word or two : we made one of the most 
rapid marches that has ever been made in this war, through 
severe heat and quantities of dust, and after this march of 
thirty-four miles (in fourteen hours) we dislodged the best 
infantry in the Rebel service, besides one Company of artillery 
and one of cavalry, from their own chosen position. And when 
we consider our condition, tired and worn out, compared with 
those who were fresh and well prepared, the achievement is 
not altogether unworthy of being described. In this plain, 
unvarnished statement, I have not pretended to give the history 
of the expedition, but merely to present to the reader the inci- 
dents which came under my own eyes, and my own impressions 
which these incidents produced. It would be foolish for me 
to ask other members of our Regiment to accept my statements 
as their own, for I know well that a battle is seen from as many 
points of view as there are combatants engaged. I am therefore 
in hopes that this account will be found more interesting as 
it is than if I attempted to run in opposition to the papers 
by compiling a history from them. 

Let me anticipate in the course of events enough to say 

that, about three days after our return to the Island, a general 

order arrived from General Burnside, complimenting all the 

troops under General Reno's command, and as a testimonial 

136 



THE LONG ROLL 

of his appreciation of our services, and the victory which we 
gained under such hard circumstances, he ordered that we 
be permitted to inscribe " Camden " on our banners, with the 
date, " A{)ril 19th." which will be recorded in the history of 
our country as a day worthy of being remembered. And who 
knows but that this affair may have stimulated a skedaddling 
tendency to Norfolk ! If I am right, the results of our best 
efforts were not so little after all. 

As soon as we arrived on the Island we were packed off 
to the hospital, of course. I did not think at first that it would 
be necessary for me to go to bed at all, but I was mistaken. 
Doctor Humphreys said that, though my wound was not 
dangerous, it was serious and must be taken care of. Now 
what a pity it is that my physiological education has been so 
much neglected, that I can not describe the exact course that 
this bullet took ; but lamentable as it is, so it is. You must 
content yourself with a home-made description. It entered 
the wrist when I was in the act of charging bayonets, and passed 
through it. In its hurried passage it was kind enough to fracture 
rather than to mash any bones, so that I had nothing to fear 
except mortification. 

Our officers showed as nuich kindness of heart as they did 
bravery on the field. I don't think there was a commissioned 
officer in the Regiment but visited us, making pressing offers 
to supply anything we might want. Along toward evening 
one day, Captain Ix'ahy came in and sat between Cockefier * 
and myself, chatting for some time about the battle. We were 
the only two wounded of his Company who were obliged to 
take to bed. Captain Leahy was pronounced by all to have 
been ahead of the column in the hottest of the fight, and by 
every way possible showed himself to be the bravest of the 
brave, and I told him that " the unanimous opinion in 
tlie hospital is that Company I has the bravest Captain in the 
Regiment." At this he smiled, the first time I have seen him 
smile from any remark of mine, and said that the boys did 
better than the officers. This from such a man made me proud, 

• William Cocke6er. Company I. Wounded ahoulder. Camden, April 19th. 

137 



THE LONG ROLL 

and I told him that I felt glad to know that, even if we had not 
gained anything, we had not lost any of our laurels. 

In a week I was able to get up, and experienced that happy 
release from confinement that all invalids feel more or less. 
About this time we first heard that Colonel Hawkins had sent 
down to New-Berne for a boat to take us to New York, and 
for the first time we discovered that it was not so bad to be 
wounded after all. To be allowed the blessed privilege of seeing 
friends and relatives again, after a year of such an absence 
from the loved ones at home, is no mean reward for bravery, 
let me tell you. In fact, I think that a soldier who has been 
tossed around as we have been, would rather take a furlough 
than one or two hundred dollars. Imagine then the joy with 
which we heard the " Eastern Queen " on the evening of the 
Third of May, as she hove in sight from New-Berne, knowing 
that she was to bear us to our homes on the morrow. Home — 
what a magic w ord that is to a soldier ! How many weary two 
hours I have spent on my lonely beat, thinking of Home. Now 
I would return, proud and conscious of having done my duty 
to my country, with victory in my very look. What a joyous 
moment when I should again embrace my sisters and my broth- 
ers. When I should be able to tell them my adventures. When 
I could promise never to leave home again, and what pleasant 
moments to compensate for the long two years of toil and danger. 
Among the beautiful hills of my own home. When my dreams 
would at last be realized in having some one to care for and to 
sympathize with me. And though now I can't go to Minnesota, 
I will see my sister Charlotte in New York and I have a home 
in Hudson City that is sure in its welcome for me, and I looked 
forward to the departure of the " Eastern Queen " with as 
much impatience as any of the others who had parents as weU 
as sisters and sweethearts to welcome them back with open 
arms. 



138 



CHAPTER XI 

The Furlough 

THE Fourth of May was the anniversary of the muster 
of our Regiment into the United States Service, and a 
beautiful day it was. And a pleasant day, too, for us, 
for in tlie morning about eight o'clock we were ordered aboard 
the boat. Our furloughs were made out, and we had them 
and a small post-oflice of letters in our pockets, the latter for 
the friends of our comrades, with instructions to see them all, 
of course. We were taken aboard the fine little steamer, and 
only had to wait al)out an hour for orders from Colonel Hawkins, 
and then we would be off for home. 

He finally came himself to see us off. He told us to be good 
boys, just as a father would when his children are to be trusted 
for the first time away from home. He was wounded, carrying 
a cloak over his bandaged arm, and some one observed that he 
ought to ask Doctor Humphreys for a furlough. He returned 
I he good-humored sarcasm with a smile, and said he did not 
remain because he had to but from choice, and after shaking 
us all by the hand and giving a good word to each, he stepped 
into his boat. Now, our party was not in condition to cheer 
him as we would have done had we not been hospital cases, 
but we had a good substitute, for one of the boys who has a 
wonderful knack of imitating a rooster hobbled out of the cabin 
on his crutches and gave the Colonel one of the most lusty 
(TOWS you can imagine. Loud and long did the crow resound, 
and we were told that the Colonel remarked to Lieutenant 
Harnett, "That don't sound as if he were very sick — does it 
Lieutenant ? " 

We immediately hove anchor and went toward the Pamlico 
Sound and anchored in the mouth of the Neuse River that 
night, and at daybreak we steamed up the River. The scenery 
Ls n(»t more remarkaijle than that of any other stream of this 
section of the country and it only grew interesting as we 
approached the defenses of New-Berne. From the hurricane deck 
of the '* Eastern Queen," I saw the breastworks that were taken 

139 



THE LONG ROLL 

in such gallant style, causing a general skedaddling from the 
five or six nice batteries intended to coiuraaud the river. One of 
these, a bomb-proof battery of two guns, was very interest- 
ing to me. These batteries with tlie formidable blockade 
of vessels and more formidable underground blockade of sharp- 
ened spikes calculated to sink any vessel that might run against 
them, formeci. I think, a very perfect defense of the pretty 
little city behind them, which only the confidence that such 
men as Burnside inspire, could conquer. I do think that Burn- 
side, so far, has done as much in proportion to the men he has 
commanded, as any General in the held. 

We were at New-Berne till the next morning, taking some 
one hundred sick and wounded aboard who. like ourselves, 
were lucky enough to get home. Meanwhile, we had a good 
chance of seeing the place, and a beautiful little city it is, with 
numerous fine shade trees. Walking up the street, who should 
we meet but General Reno and General Burnside. We were a 
squad of us together, and saluted. Turning to Reno. General 
Burnside remarked. '* So these are the boys who are going home, 
are they ? " General Reno nodded, and the old man spoke to us 
all and inquired about our wounds. He was dressed (or 
undressed) as usual, with his slouched hat and an old faded vest 
and was in his shirt -sleeves. All he said about my wound was 
that he thought it was a *' pretty little one to take home." 

New-Berne is. or was, a nice little city, very similar in its 
appearance to EHzabeth City. We had plenty of time to see 
the place, but I never care much about cities or houses, be they 
ever so beautiful, and I found after a couple of hours' walk, 
that I could content myseh just as well aboard the boat as in 
the guarded streets. 

The next morning we started again on our journey. We 
cleared Hatteras Inlet in the afternoon and Cape Hatteras 
just as the sun was sinking behind that noble sentinel, the 
Lighthouse. We were favored with beautiful weather, and 
without anything unusual happening to disturb the monotony, 
our voyage was ended on the morning of the Ninth of May. 
How strange it seemed going up the old harbor, and how 
140 



THE LONG ROLL 

familiar everything was, and how long the minutes and the 
hours after we got in sight of the old city. Oh ! New York, 
I have not much to thank you for, but still I admit this morning 
I longed for you with strange impatience. 

Tlie Adjutant and some medical men came aboard, and 
after the inspection we ran up to the pier in the North River. 
There was a large crowd on the dock to receive us, and I soon 
picked out a boy to carry my knap)sack and started for the 
ferry. But it was all about I could do to get there, for the 
New Yorkers seemed anxious that I should get home in a 
bef(K)zled state the first thing. It was in vain I pleaded that 
I had not yet seen my folks, and that I did not drink. What, 
a soldier, and not drink ! To be a Zouave and not drink, that 
seemed to startle the New Yorkers. So I found my pockets 
stuffed with cigars as a substitute, from men I had never seen 
Ijefore, and at last I got on board the ferry-boat, and then I 
wa.s made the object of the undisguised attack of hundreds of 
two-gun batteries, which I swear I winced under more than I 
did before the sharpest artillery force of the enemy. And 
Heaven only knows how it was that I was not annihilated long 
before I reached home, but I did finally, and I got more used 
to these things afterwards. Mrs. Simpson was talking to a 
neighbor and about me, when I appeared. She saw me before 
I was within talking distance, but she called out, " Is that you, 
Charley ? " 

" Yes, it 's me" Where is Lottie .'' " 

" She is in New York to-day. My Lord, Charley, how black 
you are! Are you hungry? " 

" No, ma'am, not so very." 

And then followed questions and answers that I can not 
attemi)t to transcribe. I took off my soldier clothes and settled 
myself down in an old, comfortable rocking-chair, and "Mother" 
set the table with some strange-looking things, which after 
considerable rummaging through my brain box, I remembered 
having used a long time ago. I despatched a Christian meal 
for the first time in a year, and I felt myself perfectly at home. 
Let me tell you it was pleasant to exchange charcoal water for 

141 



THE LONG ROLL 

coffee, shingles for bread, home-made bread, and " salt horse " 
for good tender sirloin with such " heaps " of beautiful gravy. 

I said I was not hungry, but my meal was a hearty one 
just the same, and I then prepared to enjoy the aroma of a 
good cigar. I was attracted to the front door by the boisterous 
laughter of children, and if there was not Sammy Simpson 
with my fez on, thrashing one of his playmates who was indis- 
creet enough to try how well my Rebel jacket fitted him, thus 
unexpectedly laying himself open to a thrashing in true " Zou- 
Zou " style. The jacket was one we had taken in an expedition 
above Elizabeth City some time before the battle of Camden. 

I grew impatient waiting for my sister to come home, for 
her errands had detained her some time longer than " Mother" 
anticipated. And when she did come the children spoiled the 
surprise I had planned to give her, but that was all the same 
after all. 

The next morning I started for New York, determined to 
get rid of a part of my post-oflSce, and the first place I went 
was to see Mrs. Hutchings, the aunt of my old chum, Thain.* 
I took dinner with her at Williamsburgh, and then went up 
to Sixty-seventh Street near Broadway and delivered War- 
ring's** letter to his mother, in whom I became much interested. 
She was, of course, glad to see me, as I had been the bed-fellow 
and friend of her son, and she made me promise to come again, 
as Mrs. Hutchings did, and I promised. I hunted up my old 
landlady and settled a small account, and then I waited for 
Harry Palmer. In the meantime I had to kiss a half-dozen 
girls of old acquaintance, a very disagreeable duty, which I 
performed, however, like a heroic soldier, and was most talked 
to death in the bargain. At last Harry came in, and — " My 
God, Johnson, is that you ? " I assured him it was no one else, 
and he got reconciled. I had to take supper with him, of course. 
After getting all the news and promising to see him the next 
Sunday, I went home tired, and not exactly happy. I had 

* Hamilton H. Thain, Company I. 
* * On a page of writing paper forming the cover of Journal "No. 7," is the name, " William 
H. Warring," which is presumed to be correct, though it is sometimes in the Journal itself, spelled 
with an " h." 

142 



THE LONG ROLL 

been all over the city, and had not had much leisure for the 
errands I was commissioned to execute. New York was not 
much changed. I was on Broadway, on the Bowery, on the 
avenues and on the business streets, and all appeared the same, 
with the one difference noticeable, the presence of many soldiers. 
With this exception, I would not have known, from the bustle 
of business and the usual display on Broadway, the number of 
unmeaning-faced pedestrians saluting so many more dolls in 
" a-la-mode," or from the eternal outpouring, commingling 
and separating stream of life, that there was such a calamity 
harassing our country. New York is New York still, thought 
I, as I crossed the ferry, not very well satisfied with my first 
day's experience. 

The next day I happened to be in the Sixth Avenue car, 
and my uniform was, as usual, the object of interest. I have 
not conceit enough to fancy that I was the attraction : I am 
quite sure it was the uniform and the sling. I noticed one lady 
who seemed to wish to speak to me. The car gradually got 
thinned out as we approached town, and soon there were only 
two persons in it besides ourselves. She then came over to 
where I sat, and asked me if I was a member of Hawkins 
Zouaves and did I come with the last lot of wounded men, 
to both of which I replied in the affirmative. 

" But why is it I have not seen you up at the hospital ? " 
she asked. 

" Why, Madam," replied I, smiling, " it must be because 
I have not been there," and in explanation of this rather rude 
answer, I added, " I determined to stay at home while I am 
here, for it is pleasanter for myself and for a sister of mine." 

" Granted," replied .she; " but if you do not wish to stay 
with us, you nuist really come up and see how nicely we have 
gotten you poor fellows fixed. We want all of your Regiment 
who need help to come to us for it." She was middle-aged, 
dressed in half-mourning and, very evidently, a lady. She 
went on entiuisiastically, " Men will have to do the fighting, 
and all we poor women can do is to take care of them when they 
are sick and wounded, and that we are willing to do." 

143 



THE LONG ROLL 

" You are very kind, and I will take advantage of your 
invitation by going to see you at the hospital to-morrow and 
as an excuse I will go every day to get my wound dressed." 

To her earnest, " Do, Sir ! " I said, " Good-Morning, 
Madam ! " and left the car. 

This will show the feeling for us among the upper classes 
in New York. It is only one of the very many instances of 
this kind feeling for our Regiment and for the army generally, 
which I had the great pleasure to experience while in the city. 
The hospital is situated on Fifty-first Street and Lexington 
Avenue, and as far as I know is Mrs. Valentine Mott's own 
institution. I went the next day and the very first one I met 
was my lady friend of the car. She must pardon me for the 
liberty I take in calling her a friend, her manner was such that 
I can not help myself. She recognized me at once and exclaimed, 
" I knew I would see you again." 

What a contrast to the camp hospitals ! Here were all our 
boys in clean muslin, everything neat, comfortable and home- 
like, and I fancied their swarthy faces had already gained a 
lighter shade. Everything that could tempt the taste was 
alongside of every bed, and as a proof of plenty, I will mention 
the fact that I never went there but that I was asked to take 
some oranges or some delicate food. They were really reproached 
for not eating all the gifts that poured in on them in a continual 
stream. Books, papers, magazines and choice novels were on 
tables and chairs, sufiicient for a good-sized reading-room; 
and dominoes, checkers and chess contributed to make the 
pleasantest home that a soldier can wish for " away from home." 
But the strangest feature, and of course the most pleasant of 
this splendid establishment, is the kind and familiar efforts of 
the ladies to make these patients feel at home, and I know they 
were successful. What can be more soothing to a poor wounded 
soldier, who has been so long the patient object of harsh, unsym- 
pathetic commands from officers, very often his inferiors, finding 
himself the object of tender smiles and kindly attentions ? Not 
pity, mind you, for a true soldier hates pity from women, to 
whom but for the services he has tried to render his country, he 
144 




'"^^' 



Fdil Hawkins, lioanoke Island 




\ % W \ 



I'orl 1{liio 



PLATE XXX 



;»0' 






#i# 










\ \ 



^»)^& 



->*"v 



Ruins of Fort Blanchard, Roanoke Island 




'^JkiJ^Ui^ 



Wreck of the " Cumberland 



PLATE XXXI 



THE LONG ROLL 

might never have the presumption to speak. Ladies who come 
in their carriages, dressed in rusthng silks, with tender, white, 
tapering fingers which seemed never to have been formed to 
touch anything other than the keys of the piaiioforte, doing 
Hi lie commonplace things here and there for him, trying to 
find out and to comply with his slightest wish — this is indeed 
a reward that is worth all the hardships, danger and terror of 
the battlefield. For tiiere is great satisfaction in knowing that 
you deserve this from the greatest ladies in the land — great 
l)ccausc they are true and good. Mrs. Valentine Mott, the 
principal lady of the institution, is a pleasant -looking woman, 
and that she is good need not be asked. Hers is a face that will 
never grow oUl. Her character can be partially judged from a 
little incident I witnessed. I had taken dinner with the boys 
aii.l had just gotten interested in a game of checkers with Frank 
\ allade,* who had been wounded in both thighs at Camden. 
UC just about got started when the door opened and in came 
a young, pretty little woman. I would have said "girl," but 
she had in her arms a bal)y about a year old. As soon as she 
entered, Frank reddened a little, pushed away the board and 
whispered to me, *' She is my wife." I was thunderstruck, 
but I made haste to get out of the way. Here was Frank a 
married man and a fatlier, and not yet twenty nor as old-looking 
as myself. \Muit would we have next in the line of wonders? 
The conference between them did not last long, for I could see 
that Frank wiiucil under the grins and glances of his comrades, 
and as he had kept it a secret from us so far, I judge he was 
pretty uneasy. Airs. Mott came in just as Frank's pretty little 
family had gone, and she asked him if he had seen his wife. 

"Yes, Ma'am; I have seen them." 

** And, are they gone? " 

*' Yes, they have just gone. " 

" Oh, I declare, that is too bad, and I did not see that baby." 

Frank looked serious and said. ** If I had known, Mrs. Mott, 
that you wished to see them, I would have detained them 
certainly." 

* Prank Vallsdr. Co. F. Wouudcd leg uud lliigli. Cani<lr-n. April l&tb. 

145 



THE LONG ROLL 

But Mrs. Mott started off complaining that it really was 
too bad she did not see that baby, " I did want to see it so 
much," and even when she had reached the other end of the 
room we could still hear her talking about that " Zouave " 
baby, at which poor Frank (or rich Frank) had to jom us in 
our laugh at the good lady's disappointment. 

The next week I spent principally between my own home 
and Mrs. Mott's home, for I was not yet in condition to warrant 
my being out nights. In the latter part of the week I 
neglected to go to the hospital for several days, and when I 
did I found our boys changed from the second to the third 
floor. I asked how Cockefier was, and they told me that he 
was much worse and for me to go up and see him. I found him 
covered with a thin sheet, behind a screen. He was very pale. 
" Cocky," said I, " how 's your arm ? Does it pain you much 
now.!* " 

" No, Charley ; it don't pain me any more now — it 's off." 

Need I tell you how I felt ! We were alongside of each other 
in the hospital at Roanoke, and I used to tremble when they 
had him under chloroform for fear they would take the arm off, 
and now, after being allured so long by the hope that it would 
not be necessary, it had to go at last. I do think, if I lost an 
arm or a leg, that I would go mad. I never feared death half 
as much, when going into a battle, as I did losing a limb. That 
would be a misery I never could reconcile myself to stand; 
and now poor Cockefier ! 

As soon as I got home I wrote to Warring, and told him 
about poor Cocky, and asked him if he would speak to Captain 
Leahy, for I felt that he was kind as well as brave, and the 
Company ought to do something nice. The next letter I got 
from Warring made me happy, for it stated that Captain Leahy 
had acted on the suggestion and headed the list himself with 
jSve dollars, and that he now had a sum of nearly one hundred 
ready. This was beyond my most sanguine expectation, and 
I was very glad, for Cockefier is a poor man, and needs money 
now, God knows. The second Sunday I was in New York he 
introduced me to a man to whom I shall always feel grateful. 
146 



THE LONG ROLL 

His indefatigable efforts to make my stay in New York pleasant, 
in which he was assisted by his wife and two daughters, suc- 
ceeded admirably. John ^IcKensie is a true specimen of a 
genuine American. He is an ex-member of G engine company, 
in which he takes great pride as in the fire department generally, 
and he is also an active member of the order of Free Masons, 
and in that fraternity he takes equal pride if not more. He 
always has money, but still is not rich ; he lives in comfort if 
not in luxury. He is near if not over forty years of age, but 
docs not look much over thirty; and to sum it all up, I can 
find no discount on John McKensie. Such a man I met that 
Suiuiay, and it is hard to tell whether I spent my time more 
agreeably anywhere else than I did that afternoon. I had to 
stay and take tea with him and promise to come again often. 
The conversation during a part of the time took in the theaters, 
and he found out I could appreciate a good play, so he planned 
with Harry to go up to Wallack's any day I should decide. I 
think it was Tuesday ; and to save me from being out too late, 
it was arranged that I should sleep with Harry. We went to 
Wallack's and saw the " Romance of a Poor Young Man " 
very well played. We went again and again, until I got ashamed 
of going with my two friends, Harry and Jack, for they would 
not allow me to pay for anything. So on one occasion I saw 
Jack down town, after I had known him about two weeks, 
and tohl him to make things look a little better, and if he or 
they had no objections, I would take his daughters to see 
Miss Richings at Niblo's. I smoothed the matter over with 
some reasons for the boldness of the proposition on so short 
an acquaintance; but all he seemed to have against it was 
that a soldier should not be allowed to spend his money. And 
now there was something else I had to get over. My Sister 
would be anxious to know about these proceedings, and it 
does n't take them long to guess where you have been, when 
tliey see the purse. I had taken her to see the enchantress at 
Niblo's, and she was so shocked at that bit of extravagance 
that she vowed it would last her for a year, and now mind you, 
I was about to commit a double foUv, and she would be sure 

147 



THE LONG ROLL 

to find out whether I told her or not. But I conquered all 
difficulties and took the Misses McKensie to see the siren. 
Miss Richings. I had the best seats in the parquet, and was 
dressed in Zou-Zou rig, of course; Jack had a pair of opera- 
glasses, and I had great fun looking at those who looked at me, 
for by this time I had gotten so used to being stared at that 
I did not mind it at all. One woman on the opposite side of 
the parquet gazed at me and I gazed at her until, with common 
consent, we dropped the glasses, and smiled. 

The singing was excellent and the play good enough, and 
it would have been better if the weather had not been so hot. 
As it was, my guests professed to having enjoyed themselves 
and how could I help it ? But what is the use of following my- 
self further in New York, for I had one continual round of 
amusement and pleasure, and I would not have missed it for 
a hundred dollars'. I went to see Alexander in Center Street, 
my old boss, and there they thought me arisen from the grave. 
They thought me to be in the end-fire Zouaves, and there was 
a Charles Johnson killed on picket in that Regiment and that 
must have been me. I assured them it was not. I saw Miss 

T at Alexander's, and she is more beautiful than ever. 

I went sailing around Central Park with Lillie Simpson on her 
birthday, and Lord knows where I was not and what I did not 
do to pass away the time. To tell the truth, I was not contented 
at home ; for I could not use pen or pencil, as you know, barely 
being able to scribble short answers to my friend's letters with 
my left hand. So in spite of myself, I found the hours hanging 
heavy some of the time. I was most happy at home with 
" Mother " and Lottie and the children, for though I never 
was without agreeable attention in New York, yet there is 
not that feeling that gives so much content as when you are 
among those whom you love, and if it were possible to love 
any one in the same way as you do your mother, Mrs. Simpson 
comes nearer to her than any other woman I ever knew. I 
sometimes sighed when I thought of Home, and that perhaps 
I never would see my family again, and it was hard to be so 
near and not have that pleasure. Eva, Harriet, Augusta and 
148 



THE LONG ROLL 

my brothers — the word pleasure is cold — joy is the only ade- 
quate word that will come near the feeling I would have in 
again seeing them all. But then I thought, even if I were there, 
I would find it hard to leave for the uncertainties of military 
life, so I consoled myself with the silent prayer that when I 
did go " home " it would be to stay. 

And so did the forty days glide away in peaceful pleasure 
and domestic cjuiet, and almost before I was aware of it, the 
Fourteenth of June was a reality and I reported myself and got 
my ticket. And then I had to wait nearly two weeks before 
I could get a steamer. This I found tedious in the extreme, 
for it meant a trip to tlie Adjutant-General's office every day, 
only to be disapi)ointed and told to come the next day. And 
in the meantime, I had taken leave of friends half a dozen times, 
and their patience as well as mine was exhausted. 

At last, on the Twenty-fifth of June, the Steamer " Cossack" 
left for New-Berne. We started in a rainstorm, as usual, but 
still I had the pleasure of seeing my Sister on the dock with 
Mr. Simpson. I had told her not to come, but she said she 
could not resist trying to see me again, and I was glad she did 
not obey my orders. About four o'clock, the " Cossack " 
shoved off from the pier and cleared Sandy Hook before dark, 
and now we are off for the seat of war again. 




149 



CHAPTER XII 

Sketches 

Thursday Eve., Eight o'clock, 
June 26th, 1862. 

WE started from New York yesterday afternoon and 
have had favorable weather. The " Cossack " is 
now near Fortress Monroe, where she will land a 
Company of Marines. 

Nine o'clock. 
We are now plowing back again through Chesapeake Bay. 
We heard that McClellan had been fighting all day, and that 
General Hooker's Division had advanced one mile on to Rich- 
mond and gained possession of Federal Hill. I hope it is true ! 

Friday Morning, June 27th. 
Fortunately for us, the sea has not been as high to-day as 
when the " Oriental " was wrecked, or we would now be in 
the same predicament. We have just been aground, and in 
the open ocean, too, about ten miles from land, and thirty 
from Cape Henry. And we have to thank Neptune for his 
kindness in not providing us with a blow at the time, or we 
would be floating around on planks and hay bales instead of 
pursuing our course as we are now doing. As it was, every lazy 
swell that came along lifted the " Cossack " a little and set 
her down again, fairly making every timber in the overloaded 
vessel squeak, just as a rocking crate on which a cartraan was 
practising his strength. But we got off, to the relief of every 
one, and now Hatteras Light is in sight. (Night) We passed 
Hatteras " Swash," after tugging and rolling a little in the sand, 
and we are again at anchor at the mouth of the Neuse River, 
and I am going to sleep. 

New-Berne, Saturday, June 28th. 
We have just passed through New-Berne and left the 
** Cossack " for the Steamer " John Farrow," and we were 
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THE LONG ROLL 

not a moment too soon, either, for we start immediately for 
Roanoke. 

(Night) Again aground in the Sound. This is surely an 
unlucky trip for pilots, two already being discharged. 

Camp Reno, Roanoke Island. 
June 29th. 
At Roanoke again. We came up to the dock this morning 
about nine o'clock. The Colonel was there to meet us and he 
spoke as kindly as usual. When I got up to camp, I was met 
by a host of friends on every side; in fact, the welcome I 
received here was only second to that in New York two months 
ago. Tiie Regiment is on the eve of starting somewhere I am 
certain, but where I do not know, though I am pretty sure it 
is to be in the direction of Richmond. I don't know whether 
I will go with them or not. I can not go in the ranks, that is 
certain, but I might go on the ambulance and do something. 
I will propose to go anyway, and be ready for whatever turns up. 

Monday Eve., June 30tl . 
Last Monday evening T was at Wallack's Theater with 
Jack McKcnsic and Harry Palmer, and to-night I have also 
been to the theater. The Zouave Dramatic Club gave an 
interesting performance and I enjoyed myself to-night as well 
if not better than I did last Monday, probably for the reason 
that I did not look for so much talent as there was displayed 
on the neat little stage in one of the Rebel barracks. A bur- 
lesque was well performed and after some very good comic 
songs and dancing, the entertainment concluded with the 
farce " Box and Cox." The house was crowded with the 
aristocracy of Roanoke, escorted generally by members of 
the Regiment. Colonel Hawkins was present and was received 
with enthusiastic cheers by the audience. The proceeds of 
these entertainments go to the wounded of our Regiment. 

July 4th, 1862. 
What can't our boys get up when they have a mind to? 
As the song says, " K you had been here to-dav, vou 'd have 

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laughed till you died." So far as I am concerned I do not wish 
to have anything better to laugh at on the Fourths of July to 
come. In the morning, any one who would go after it, could 
have fifteen rounds of blank cartridges to use as he wished. 
After the Parade and the reading of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, two o'clock was fixed for a grand, fantastic burlesque 
on the Dress Parade, in which any one who wished to make 
himself ridiculous could participate. At two exactly, several 
drums and kettles sounded for the Battalion to " Fall in." 
The Colors took their position, and the guides were thrown out. 
The Colors were one black flag, no quarter, and a white flag, 
all quarter, appropriately inscribed. There is no use trying 
to describe the rest. You have all been to a masquerade ball, 
I suppose, and from that you can fancy something very ridicu- 
lous, only I am afraid you can not arrive at anything ridiculous 
enough. The artillery was represented by common muskets 
tied on wheelbarrows, from which formidable battery, we had 
some very good volleys. Sergeant Major was " Colonel " 
and had his saddle put on wrong side foremost. The " Child " 
of the Regiment was Corporal Farrel of Company B, and he 
made the best character of the show. Warring made a very 
good Zouave, with a Roanoke medal on his breast, a brass 
candlestick with the top knocked off. Corporal Downing of 
our Company was a rag-woman and played the part to per- 
fection. The Battalion, numbering some two hundred, marched 
down to the camp of the Eighty-ninth and to Headquarters, 
and gave a magnificent Dress Parade at both places with salutes 
from the Batteries. The band accompanied them, but the 
martial strains were unfortunate in the harmony, for each man 
played his own tune. Colonel Hawkins was not at his quarters 
and every one felt a little disappointed. I am going to wind 
up the Fourth by going to the theater to-night, this performance 
probably being our last, as our Regiment is soon going away. 

July 11th. 
The Regiment is gone, and I, for the first time, am staying 
behind. Thev went this morning. I had everything ready to 
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THE LONG ROLL 

go, but the Captain told me I had better stay and take care 
of his quarters, and I have no doubt that it is best, though I 
don't hke the idea, for I always have been with my Company 
since we came out, and I would like to take my chances with it 
whatever it may go through. They are going in the direction 
of Norfolk, and, if I mistake not, they will have something to 
say at the taking of Richmond. It is even now rumored that 
they are going to take Fort Darling, with the rest of Burnside's 
Division, of course. 

Saturday Evening, July 12th. 

1 received a letter this afternoon from Charlotte. All is well. 
1 have resumed my pencil again these last few days in good 
earnest, using a little more care than usual, which has resulted, 
I think, in a material improvement in my pictures. Yesterday 
morning, I commenced with Fort Defiance, * and it is so 
much better and more correct than the five or six others I drew 
and gave away, that I have concluded to keep this for myself. 
The second picture I finished yesterday, " Fort Bartow " 
was originally sketched two or three months ago from 
the " Virginia " while in the Sound, and includes an incident 
worthy of being preserved : the Rebel Steamer — *' Sea Bird," 
I think it was — waiting under a flag of truce for the body of 
Captain O. Jennings Wise. Fort Bartow, commonly called 
the " Nine-Gun Battery," is the strongest fort on the Island 
and received the principal part of Goldsborough's attention 
when the Island was taken. My next is a copy of the only 
|)rint I have seen of the sharp skirmish between the Rebel Tug 
" Teager " and our " Savannah," which was described in my 
Journal long ago. This is the first two-page picture I have ever 
<lrawn. 

This morning I undertook the most delicate piece of pencil- 
ing I have ever attempted and I succeeded beyond my most 
sanguine anticipation. This is the copy of Colonel Hawkins' 
" Carte-de-visite." I think just this much of it, that I intend to 

* The Skctchn havr br«n plHced iu Ibf narrativv a.s nearly as possible, where the origioal 
no* tnatlr. Some werr lo»t, nianv wi-rc ({ivrn a«av. and a few arc " unaccounted for." 

153 



THE LONG ROLL 

get the Colonel to put his autograph on it, if he comes back, 
and God grant he may. 

I also drew a large j;>icture of the charge of our Regiment at 
Camden, partly copie*:! and partly original. I substituted our 
two-gun battery for i\w Sixth New Hampshire, which in the 
published print in the ** Illustrated News " occupies the fore- 
ground. It is not that I do not want the gallant Sixth to be 
in the picture, but they were not there when we made the first 
charge. It was when our flag was in the Rebel position and 
the Georgians were in retreat, that the Sixth, the only Regiment 
that did anything there, was where the wood-cut placed them. 
Now I think you will agree with me that my pencil has been 
busy since the Regiment went away. 

Sunday Evening, July 13th. 

I have spent the Sabbath principally with pencil in my 
hand. I have drawn three pictures to-day, one of Fort 
Bartow one of our gunboats ascending the Chowan River on 
the Winton Expedition and the third has a curious 
history. I commenced it some fifteen months ago, a ruin on 
Lake Myorson in Norway, and with unusual care, intending 
to give it to a lady friend, but alas, it has been unfinished all 
this time, and forgotten until I found it with a lot of drawing 
paper my Sister Charlotte packed in my knapsack. And now 
I have touched it up in my best style with clouds and trees, 
and I will send it to my Sister Eva. 

But I am afraid the pencil displaces the pen too much of 
late. There has been a startling rumor around camp to-day, 
and the main part of it implies that Company F has been 
attacked at Plymouth, which city they were guarding, by a 
body of Rebel cavalry, and been driven off with a loss of three 
killed and ten wounded. Another rumor is that a Rebel steamer 
was captured in the Roanoke River. But both lack confirma- 
tion. 

The fight that was in progress when I was off Fortress 
Monroe seems to have been a big thing, big so far as the fight 
is concerned, but not so much for our cause. I have not seen 
154 



THE LONG ROLL 

the particulars yet. We hear that McClellan has retreated 
aud I feel l>adly about it, but I can only hope for the best. 

Saturday, July 19th. 

Day before yesterday I received a letter from Warring 
with a batch of information and also one from Captain Leahy. 
The Regiment is now in Fort Norfolk near the city, on Sewal's 
Point, and " King Rush " is commander of the post. Captain 
Ivcaby thinks we — " they," I mean — will stay there and he 
tells me I may expect orders to decamp any day. Last year 
this lime, how little did our boys expect to be in Norfolk now, 
and how much less did we expect to have to take such a curious 
route to get there. But I am not there yet. 

With these two letters came three more, two from New 
York and the other from Pittsburgh : a note from Mr. Passe- 
vant enclosing two letters from my Sisters Harriet and Augusta. 
Harriet tells me they were delighted with my picture that I 
sent them some time ago, and Augusta returns the compliment 
with her ambrotype. which she says does justice to her in every- 
thing but her hair. The picture shows me a girl of whom any 
one should be proud; in fact, as far as looks and build are 
concerned, our family is not to be equaled — myself excepted, 
of course. Harriet promises me to go and do likewise in regard 
to a picture. The letters from Harry Palmer and Jack Mc- 
Kensie are full of news. I have answered all of them except 
Mr. Passevant's, and that I intend to do to-day. 

This is Saturday and we will see what our pencil has been 
doing since Sunday. " The Burning of Winton," though 
small and .something new, is not bad. I never tried confla- 
grations before. I have numbered my pictures, for I want the 
collection to be complete, and I have that excuse for not giving 
any of them away. Now, turn the leaf. Ha! A moonlight 
scene, something else I have never tried before. " Burnside's 
Fleet at Anchor." How do you like it? You don't 
know? Well 1 don't either. The Steamer on the right side 
in the foreground, or forewater, is the " Virginia." and I was 
on her that night, if von can recollect. 

155 



THE LONG ROLL 

" Three-Gun Battery Captured on Roanoke Island " in 
front of Colonel Hawkins' quarters. This flagstaff with that 
pretty flag floating from it, as you will see, serves also as the 
Colonel's Lookout, for in these cross-trees he can or could 
command a good view of the Sound. I don't think it makes 
a bad picture, do you? 

Hello ! This is something larger than usual, is it not ? 
" Camp Reno, Roanoke Island." Well, that is not so bad. 
Clouds good. So that is the Regiment on Dress Parade? 
Well, well, they are too much in the distance to be seen very 
distinctly. Seems to me that there are too many of them. 
You are probably right. Well, take it all in all, it is — well, 
never mind what it is, turn the page. 

" Beautiful ! beautiful ! " Do you think so ? I am glad of 
it, for I think so myself, and your exclamations flatter my 
vanity, but read the title : " Earth- work built by Sir Walter 
Raleigh's Colony on Roanoke Island." Well, I declare, I 
did not think it was anything but a wood scene. Earthwork, 
did you say ? This must be it in the foreground, and not 
much of a breastwork either. I admit that. Sir, but you 
must recollect that this has been here some hundreds of years, 
and in that time the elements have reduced it ; but if you will 
go with me some day, you will discover traces that can not be 
doubted. How far is it from camp ? About a mile Eastwardly. 
But what object could Sir Walter have in building this work 
here, I would like to know. For my part I don't think Sir 
Walter ever had anything to do with the Fort ; but if you will 
refer to the History of the United States, you will find that there 
was a colony, or a nucleus of one, of fifteen or twenty men left 
on this Island, of which nothing was ever heard afterward. 
Not a trace has been discovered, and we have nothing left but 
conjecture. They were probably butchered by Indians, and 
that this fort has something to do with them — in fact, that it 
was thrown up for their defense against the Indians — I have 
no doubt in my mind. At any rate, we have proofs that it has 
been the scene of Indian warfare, and as Indians do not throw 
up earth- works in their line of fighting, we must come to the 
156 



THE LONG ROLL 

conclusion that red and white men's blood mingled over 
this spot in the lonely wood. For I have seen stone and flint 
arrow-heads that have been found here, and that is sufficient 
to show that the red men had good enemies to fight before 
they could annihilate them. As my picture shows, the breast- 
works are not more than ordinary mounds now, and any one 
who was not shown the place would probably pass over if a 
hundred times without discovering anything so unusual as' to 
warrant the thought of a fortification ; but it was there, and 
probably has been the scene of a dark and bloody tragedy. 
A sudden and terrible surj)rise; a long, protracted siege,! in 
which the red men suffered as much as the garrison ; and at 
last, worn out with hunger, thirst or bodily fatigue, one by 
one, careless of life, the white men exposed themselves to the 
arrows of the unerring marksmen, or perhaps in hopes of savage 
mercy, only to be deceived and meet the horrible end at' the 
stake or by some other lingering torture. I almost forget that 
this is all in my mind, but such thoughts came to me while 
I was drawing the ruins of this interesting relic of the former 
history of this well-known Island. But, Mr. Journal, we will 
drop the subject of our pictures, and as I am busy now, meet 
me to-morrow at the *' Barleymow." 

July 22nd. 

Yesterday I drew my own picture from a" Carte-de-visite" 
I had taken in New York, and wrote a letter to Mr. Passevant 
and one to Captain Leahy. To-day I made a sketch of Fort 
Hawkins, which, unlike all the other forts on the Island, has 
been built by the Federals. It was commenced shortly after 
the Island was taken, and furnished employment to about a 
hundred contrabands almost continually, and it is now nearly 
(•om])leted. It is built in the much-favored half-moon shape, 
with l)reastworks to protect it in the rear. It mounts four 
thirty-two-pound Columbiads, which command the Sound; 
situated on the Northeast corner of the Island. It is a neat 
piece of engineering, and reflects credit on the constructors. 

(Evening). I must stop a few minutes before going to bed 
and talk to vou about mv sketches. I hope, for Friendship's 

157 



THE LONG ROLL 

sake, you are not tired of the subject, for sketching is something 
I never tire of doing — and why not bear with me now, when I 
have nothing else on which I can fix my mind ? And, too, my 
hand is fast getting well, so that I will soon be able to shoulder 
a musket again, and then you will not be bored with my eternal 
talk. Now here is as good a picture as I ever attempted, and 
by far the greatest subject I could wish, finished day before 
yesterday, and I never spoke of it at all. I fancy it is very 
jealous, by this time, of its associates who have been more 
lucky in getting a prompt puff from Mr. Journal. But it is 
never too late to mend. This tries to represent the " Bivouac 
of General Burnside's Army — The Night Before the Battle," 
but no questions have I time to answer, and if you want 
any explanations you must look up the old copy of the Journal, 
now safely packed in Hudson City. For I must make haste 
and tell something about a little expedition I had this afternoon. 
I had resolved, as long as I had so good a chance, to have 
Roanoke Island illustrated, and I think I have finished now. 
So I went out this afternoon to take the two last sketches that 
were needed to make my collection complete. Fort Reno and 
Fort Blanchard : I had a good swim at Fort Reno and then 
went down to Fort Blanchard. I had never seen the 
latter fort since I have been on the Island, and I was much 
surprised at the strength and advantages of its position. Five 
hundred brave men inside ought to be able to hold it against 
five thousand. Let me explain by the assistance of the sketch. 
You will see where four heavy guns have been mounted 
on the right. These guns command the Sound. In front, 
a boggy marsh, which even Irish bog-trotters could not 
get over. On the left, the wall faces the interior of the Island, 
and is protected not only by swamps, but more effectively by 
a deep dike full of water. What more could a general want, 
besides courage, to hold this against all the Burnsides in our 
army? I will give you a small sketch of Fort Reno. 
It is the largest Fort on the Island, and mounts twelve 
guns. It took a small part in the action of the Eighth of Febru- 
ary, but did no great execution, firing a shot now and then, 
158 



THE LONG ROLL 

making a small show of helping their fleet of gunboats which 
our ferryboats drove from under its walls. Its original name 

w;is Fort Iluger. I sketched another " Fort," I suppose. 

Why do you interrupt me ? Can I sketch nothing but Forts ? 
My pencil has been insulted, but the keenest satisfaction will 
be to allow the pen to finish. This picture forms a great con- 
trast in its subject, a most beautiful flower I found in the marsh. 
It was of a kind I had never seen before, and I can not tell its 
name, but it attracted me by its purest vermilion color. But, 
Forts, Cannons, Flowers and all beside, I bid you Good-Night ! 




159 



CHAPTER XIII 

Mabching Orders 

Friday, July 25th. 

AN expedition is starting from here this afternoon, and 
those of our Regiment who were left are going, with five 
days' rations in haversacks, and in light marching order. 
Mr. Journal, you may look out for something besides pictures 
in a few days, or — nothing at all. 

Afternoon. 

A half hour after writing the warning above, we were 
marched to the Parade Ground at the call of the " Assembly," 
and I found there forty-seven men, two of them commissioned 
officers. Captain Graham and Captain Prescott, and three 
non-commissioned, leaving forty-two privates. We marched 
down to Fort Reno and there met a small schooner, in which 
we embarked and stood for the gunboat which was ready to 
receive us, and we are now on our way up the Sound. From 
aU I can learn, we are going up to the Currituck Court-House 
to stop some drafting that is said to be going on among the 
inhabitants, under the supervision of the Rebel cavalry. 

Saturday Afternoon. 
This morning we found ourselves at anchor in the North 
River opposite the mouth of the new canal (the only name I 
could find for it), and we went aboard the schooner which was 
making ready to take us up the canal by having a twelve-pound, 
mountain howitzer put in her bow. A detachment of marines 
accompanied us to sail this newly made war-vessel, and as 
pilot we had a Captain Dowdy, one of General Burnside's 
spies. In the raging waters of this canal, there was no wind 
or room for sailing. We had no horses, and in lieu of wind 
and the useful animal, we had to take our places on the bank 
and tow the boat. This work was rendered much harder by 
the quantity of blackberries on the banks which, like "Tantalus 
in Hades," we were shown but not permitted to touch. In 
about an hour, we arrived at a bridge where there was a dredg- 
160 



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Camp Parke On the Rappahannock 



PLATE XXXIII 



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Sdiith Mountain Battlefii-U! 



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The Antietam Bridge 



PLATE XXXV 



THE LONG ROLL 

ing-machine at work. There had been a two-gun battery 
commanding this bridge, of which only the breastworks and 
the flag-pole remained. Relieving the " horses " here, we pushed 
on again slowly, and soon got into an opening or lake which the 
canal runs through, though tlie winds and water have nearly 
lowered the banks to the canal level. This part of the journey 
put me much in mind of Gotha Canal in Sweden, though, of 
course, it is on a much smaller scale. After a stretch of about 
two miles of this kind of scenery, we came to a cut with high 
banks on either side, but only for a very short distance, and 
then we emerged from the square, tiresome canal scenes, and 
are now skipping joyou.sly along among the islands, through 
bays, channels and straits, and the numerous windings of 
Currituck Sound, which, though of low shores, exhibited, from 
time to time, scenes which will live pleasantly in my memory. 
In addition to Mr. Dowdy, we have now three pilots following 
us with their " Cooners," and if they can not take us to the 
salt-works which we are to destroy, I am afraid some pistols 
will go off. There is a sloop at anchor up the marsh. She looks 
suspicious and may be a prize. We are making for her. Bah ! 
she is an old tub not worth having any one on board, though 
a " Yogle " and his family apparently live here. I have seen 
Indians cleaner. For such a small craft, she carries a large 
name, and allow me to add, a queer one, no less than " Mary 
and Kllcn of Edentrois, North Currolina." 

The skipper's aid was requested, and he, pleasantly enough, 
jumped into a nutshell of a boat and came aboard, evidently 
inclined to make the best of a bad bargain by appearing to 
relish the joke. But not so his wife, for his departure left her 
in tears, fearing, I suppose, for his safety among the " Red 
Devils." 

We have had a terrible accident. A few moments ago we 
hailed a boat in toward shore, but as no attention was paid to 
our rifle-shots, we gave it the contents of our twelve-pounder. 
While the Captain of the gun was sighting her, the fuse-cord 
got entangled and the grape-shot was discharged toward the 
boat while the fuse-powder went into the eyes of poor Cooper. 

161 



THE LONG ROLL 

Every one likes Cooper, he is always quiet, a good gunner and 
a good fighter as well, and this unfortunate accident hurts us 
all. The boat put up a creek and vanished. 

Sunday, Ten o'clock. 
We got to our destination about nine o'clock last night, 
on the beach continued from Hatteras, in Princess Anne County, 
Virginia, not over thirty miles from Cape Henry, where we 
found a couple of men waiting for us, with two more not waiting 
for us, whom we made prisoners. One of these was the Mr. 
Jones who was the chief cause of this Great Naval Armada. 
We established ourselves in one of the salt-boiling sheds, and 
by twelve we had a cup of coffee and some crackers, and then 
slept the sweet sleep that we evidently needed, till roused by 
the Bugle in the morning. It was too dark last night for us 
to see the Salt Works, but now we could see five or six tumble- 
down shanties out on the sandy plain, and these we were ordered 
to destroy before we could have breakfast. You may imagine 
our consciences did not labor under much compunction, for we 
were assisted by that exciting Demon who makes it a pleasure 
to destroy, and we smashed up a lot of salt-pans and set the 
shanties into a blaze. It does not take very long to destroy 
three thousand dollars' worth, you know. That was the esti- 
mated value of the property which we left in flames, as, con- 
tented with our accomplishment, we re-embarked and sailed 
away. Well ! Well ! and now Incendiarism is added to my long 
line of misdeeds, for I set one of those shanties on fire, myself. 

Afternoon. 
We did not do enough, it seems, in the destructive line of 
business in which we are now employed, for about ten o'clock 
we again landed on this side of the line, at a place known as 
Fresh Pond Point, where there were two buildings similar to 
the ones up in Virginia, only differing in this respect: the 
absence of pans, which the owner swore had been gone over 
three weeks. But thanks to the animosity of one of our "Yogle" 
pilots, the hiding-place was revealed and they were found 
162 



THE LONG ROLL 

alongside of the oven three feet under ground, where they had 
been put not three days ago. And this, much to the fright 
and chagrin of the owner, who grew pale as the pans were hauled 
out, and anxiously asked one of our boys what the Captain 
would do to hira now. He was much relieved when he was 
told that Captain Graham would not blame him for trying to 
save his property. 

About this time, several small pigs and more than several 
hens and bandy-legged roosters were shot, hung or wrung by 
accident, and were soon in a state most agreeable to the sense 
of smell, and finally to that of taste — in fact, we made out a 
pretty good dinner at Fresh Pond Point. We are now on our 
way again and starting for Currituck Court -House, where we 
are to pay a visit on some business I know nothing about. 

Monday Morning, July 29th. 
We arrived at the Court-House about two o'clock and stayed 
at the dock for over three hours while the Captain was talking 
to the feminine population of Currituck, and we were industri- 
ously, and with a vigor that deserved a better cause, swearing 
at him, not for talking to the women folk, but for keeping us 
on the dock. From there we sailed about four o'clock, taking 
three prisoners with us. About half of our fellows were dis- 
patched by land under Captain Prescott, to meet us down at 
the bridge at the canal, for what object I do not know, unless 
to lighten the boat so as to aid us in getting down as quickly 
as possible. This was rendered difficult now, for the wind had 
very nearly died out and we had to take to the oars and row 
all the way. Our schooner was not as large as a vessel, but it 
was too large as a rowI)oat, and we found it hard work, and we 
did not get to the bridge till after one o'clock in the morning, 
where we found our detachment waiting for us. We had now 
about two miles more to make to the " Lancer." It was queer 
how very long those two miles were. We stepped aboard just 
at six bells (tliree o'clock), and I lost no time in tumbhng to 
sleep, and it took Murphy's most energetic push to make me 
understand ** Coffee " this morning. 

163 



THE LONG ROLL 

I have just been told that while we were destroying the Salt- 
Works, ten of the " Lancer's " crew have been some ten miles 
from here on a private expedition and captured two recruiting 
officers just on the eve of starting for Richmond with twelve 
drafted recruits. And now they will go via Roanoke, not 
exactly the way they planned, but Uncle Sam will pay their 
transportation. One of them has seen us before, when he was 
released on parole of honor, and I presume he has some reason 
for not wishing to see us again just now. 

While I am writing, the " Lancer " is trying to turn around 
and run over the bar at the mouth of the North River, and if 
she succeeds, we will probably be in Roanoke this afternoon. 

Wednesday, July 30th. 
Have just finished the several sketches of Currituck scenery 
which I took while on the last expedition, and I grouped them 
together on one page, and every one to whom I have shown 
them says they are good. It certainly makes a pretty effect. 
Then I sketched a curious little thing, curious to me at least, 
for I had never seen it until last Sunday while rummaging 
around Fresh Pond Point. The leaves of this plant, or vegetable, 
contain a lot of small needles, if I may so terra them, and 
beware of getting them into the pores of your skin, for they are 
worse than flies. The name, I am told, is " Cactus." 

Friday, August 1st. 

To-day I have satisfactorily employed myself in drawing 
a large picture of Lieutenant-Colonel Victor De Monteuil, 
from " Frank Leslie's" (which has it " Vignier De Monteuil ") ; 
but though I took the figure from this, I changed the features. 

Colonel De Monteuil " was born in France and rose from 
the ranks in the French Army to Lieutenant of Artillery 
and served with distinction some years in the service of the 
present Emperor. Resigning, he came to this country several 
years ago, and until the Rebellion broke out was engaged in 
New York as a teacher of the French language and literature. 
When the D' Epaneuil Zouaves were formed, De Monteuil 
164 



THE LONG ROLL 

became Lieutenant -Colonel and that Regiment was indebted 
to him for its discipline." Frank Ix'slie pays Colonel De Mon- 
teuil a poor (■omi)liment here, for it was the want of discipline 
that separated him from his Regiment. 

In the engagement at Roanoke Island, he was in our Regi- 
ment as a volunteer, his Regiment being at Annapolis, and as 
he was in the act of stepping into our ranks to charge with us, 
he was struck down by a musket ball. His last words were, 
" Charge, Zouaves ! Charge, Mes Enfants ! " as it was his 
delight to call us. He was quartered, at the request of Colonel 
Hawkins, on the " Virginia." the Flagship of the Third Division, 
We all rcsi)ected and admired the gay, good-humored, smiling, 
little Frenchman, for we knew he had sraelled powder before, 
and he seemed to return double-fold our attachment for him, 
and his only regret was that his Regiment had not been blessed 
with officers who could have made the D' Epaneuil Zouaves 
what we were. He was offered a position as Aide on some staff, 
hut refused and wont into action with a German one-thousand- 
yard rifle, which he had previou.sly picked out with great care. 
The last time I saw this brave man was on the morning of his 
death, coming through the swamp, daubed with mud above 
his knees, smilingly showing his bedraggled condition to one 
of our officers. 

We have orders to be ready to leave for Newport News 
to join our Regiment, for though there will still be a Camp 
Guard here, Murphy and I are two of the fortunate ones who 
are to go. So, good-bye, old North Carolina, Hatteras and 
Roanoke ! The old Dominion of Newport News once more ! 




165 



CHAPTER XIV 

With the Ninth Corps-d'Armie. 

Camp Parke, near Fredericksburg, Va. 
Monday, August 9th, 1862. 

LAST Sunday, the Fourth of August, our detachment 
broke camp on Roanoke Island, and embarked aboard 
two schooners, and in tow of a steamer went, probably 
for the last time, up the Albemarle Sound. For the night we 
anchored at the mouth of the North River and subsequently 
passed through the same country, the scenery of which I have 
noted before as far as Currituck Court-House. From thence 
we proceeded up the Sound of that name until we entered the 
Pongo River, which, I think, takes its root, though indirectly, 
in Lake Drummond. This river certainly is the queerest stream 
upon which I ever have had the privilege of feasting my eyes. 
As it empties into the Currituck Sound, it flows through a 
prairie-like marsh, and as we went further up, the marsh com- 
menced to admit a sprinkling of small, straight pines. Farther 
on, cedars mingled with the pines, and then cypress mixed their 
furry branches with the two. Onward, and a thick, impenetra- 
ble underbrush bloomed in wonderful beauty under the branches 
of the cypress, the cedar and the pine. All these and many other 
kinds occasionally sprinkled into the chaos formed a scene very 
dismal indeed. The Pongo River is black and narrow, winding 
and deep. Like a huge serpent it revels in this chaos, 
curling, coiling, twisting, wreathing and dashing, as it flows 
through this dark mass, that forms no bank to kiss or overflow, 
not a spot where one of us could rest a foot without getting up 
to his neck in mud. Not a cot is built to reflect its shadow in 
the black ripples ; but tall, reedy grass, surmounted by thick 
underbrush, which again is surmounted by dark, gray, moss- 
covered trees, looking lonely, dismal and frowning as we pass, 
and we feel that we have not the slightest desire to make 
a closer acquaintance. It makes us turn to the puffing of our 
tireless steam-engine, half fearing that its mighty power may 
166 



THE LONG ROLL 

stop and leave us here, and we are thankful that we can not 
discover any signs of failure in its cough. And we gaze, charmed 
hut still relieved as we pass by the wonderful beauty com- 
mingled with the dreariness and despair of the Dismal Swamp. 
For though this is not the Dismal Swamp that Porte Cayon 
illustrated in " Harper's " some time ago, it is still dreary 
enough for my ideal of the sublime and dismal ; and if it had 
not been, the pouring rain that descended on us would have 
been sufficient to make it so. Come to think, it is the same 
Swamp, but not the old road that took Cayon through Lake 
Drummond. Now, I do not know if it rains in the Fongo 
River country all the time or not ; but certain it was, that 
as soon as we had left it, the rain ceased, and Nature 
smiled on us now as she had wept and frowned among the 
recesses of the swamp. After steaming through a few miles 
of square, up and down scenery of the canal, we came upon a 
" right smart " village which some one told us was South Mills, 
and which I would have believed had the Fongo River been 
the Fasquotank. There were immense forts here, or rather 
works of every description, holding the Locks which we passed 
through. Tlicy indicated the importance that was formerly 
felt of the uninterrupted communication between Norfolk and 
the lower countries we had left. After getting out of the Locks, 
we were in the Elizabeth River and in civilized country once 
more, where flourishing fields were seen and cottages and villas 
ornamented, with everything indicating " Old Virginia." Ah ! 
Virginia ! How fair and beautiful thou art ! Why, then, 
nourish treason on your beautiful bosom, when it is fast making 
a wreck of your beauty, and a desert for thy sons ! 

It was about six o'clock in the afternoon, when from the rig- 
ging of one schooner, tlie spires of the old city of Norfolk could 
be Seen, and after a few more turns around, a few more bends 
in the river, we caught sight of the stupendous and melancholy 
ruins of Fortsmouth Navy Yards. The enemy have taken great 
and praiseworthy pains to scuttle every building in the yard. 
1 wonder that they left the walls standing. The Porte Royal 
took a couple of turns around the harbor while our band played 

167 



THE LONG ROLL 

" Yankee Doodle," and then we stood for the James River. 
We were dehghted with the pretty appearance of Norfolk, 
with her shade-trees, and, passing under the guns of the monster 
" Minnesota," which has monopolized the old place deserted 
by the " Merrimack," the wreck of which latter we saw under 
the ramparts of Crany Island, we were all more than interested.* 
Then night set in and led by the moon, the stars, the twinkling 
of the shiplights on the horizon, and the indistinct shore of the 
James, we made our old post, which we had left nearly a year 
ago, not expecting to see it again or to take such a curious route 
to get back to Newport News. 

Here a startling piece of news met us. Our Regiment had 
left there the day before for some point on the Potomac, to 
re-enforce Pope in Virginia, and so the next morning we started 
for Fortress Monroe, without the privilege of going ashore. 
But they could not prevent me from sketching the wreck of 
the noble " Cumberland," a fit monument to the heroism of 
our navy. About a year ago, when we were novices in the 
art of war, these veteran tars, so many of whom are now lying 
cold in this wreck under the glorious spars, were the first to 
welcome us with hearty cheers, as we entered and passed 
alongside of them in the James River. 

We were more fortunate at Fortress Monroe, for here we 
were allowed to go ashore and consequently had a look at things 
in this Old Point Comfort (able) Fortress. Among many 
interesting things I saw there were the remnants of the old 
Sawyer Gun which exploded at Newport News last Summer 
after we left there for Hatteras. I sketched the enormous 
two-gun battery composed of the Lincoln and Union Guns. 

Toward afternoon, Captain Graham succeeded in getting 
another larger schooner, to which we were put to work trans- 
ferring our goods, and by morning we hove anchor and started 
up Chesapeake Bay. By twilight, we came to the classic waters 
of the Potomac. The soft, silvery beams of the moon aided 
our vision and contributed a generous quantity of its silver 
to the rippUng waters and lighted up the many sails that silently 

* The Sketcb-Book with about twenty drawings of this trip was lost. 

168 



THE LONG ROLL 

passed us with a ghost-like paleness, which nearly cheated us 
into the belief that we were gliding in some spectral, ideal 
world, where phantom shii)S chased each other over nameless 
8ea.s. The next morning found us still moving between the 
somewhat distant shores of this beautiful stream, and the 
gentle moonbeams were exchanged for the golden bars of the 
sun, and oh, how hot it was ! 

Passing Fort Tobacco and Smith's Point, we soon came 
in sight of Acquia Creek, our destination, and here we learned 
that our Regiment was about eighteen or twenty miles South 
of us on the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad. But 
it was eleven o'clock that night before we had the regimental 
property aboard the cars ready to start. And the moon this 
night was fuller and fairer than the night before. I enjoyed 
this railroad ride in an open car mightily. What sensation is 
so exhilarating to us humans as swift locomotion, and what 
makes the common railroad ride so monotonous is that we can 
not feel this motion in the interior of the car. But this was 
no conunon ride. Sitting among a pile of baggage, smashing, 
slashing, crashing and dashing through hills and over bridges, 
througli ridges and over hollows, at a locomotive speed, is very 
funny. It always puts me in mind of going to Hell on the back 
of a screaming Devil. And by moonlight, when everything is 
light but indistinct, conglomerated into a mass of light and 
darkness, this fancy looks admirably like a reality. 

About one o'clock in the morning of the Ninth of August, 
the black horse neighed and gradually slackened his headlong 
speed, and was still. Marching up a hill, we could see by the 
aid of the moon, tents enough for an army, and all hushed in 
the peace of repose. We were in Camp Parke, and this was 
Bumside's army. No longer in transports or in fortified cities, 
on islands and fortresses on the North Carolina coast. No longer 
the Burnside Expedition, but the Ninth Corps-d'Armie, doing 
active service in the open field on the often contested ground 
of Old Virginia, between the pretty little Secesh towns of 
I'almouth and Fredericksburg on either side of the Rappa- 
liiinnock. Without much trouble. I found my Company and 

169 



THE LONG ROLL 

Number Three Mess, and tumbled alongside of my chum, 
Warring, and was fast asleep. 

August 10th. 

What a beautiful country this is ! Can it be possible that 
the miserable places we have gone through make these scenes 
so surpassingly lovely ? This may have some influence on our 
sense of sight, but still I do think that this country is the 
prettiest in the world. From this camping ground we occupy, 
up on the hill, we have a series of most interesting views, and 
by going down on the left wing of our brigade, we can see the 
little town, or city, of Fredericksburg, with its three or four 
steeples rising among the large trees between us in the valley 
of the Rappahannock. The surrounding hills are dotted with 
tents, giving an additional interest to the unusually lovely 
landscape. 

We have had quite a little brush in our Division, for yester- 
day. General Gibbons returned from a reconnaissance down 
along the wires somewhere. They had three Regiments, some 
cavalry and one battery, I believe, and had a kind of a running 
fight with an equal force of the enemy. They tried to cut off 
General Gibbons twice, but failed, and lost some fourteen men 
and then gave up the attempt. We lost two or three killed 
and twice that number wounded, and a little baggage, but of 
the latter, we captured an equal amount from the enemy. 

August 12th. 
We have just received the " Herald " with an account of 
the fight at Culpepper Court-House between Pope and Stone- 
wall Jackson, which transpired last Saturday. I can't say that 
it is particularly advantageous to our arms, but still it has 
renewed confidence in our Department, for we all feel that we 
have a head, which is highly gratifying when we consider that 
thereby we may be enabled to save our own necks. 

August 14th. 
Our Regiment has just returned from picket duty around 
Fredericksburg. Our Company and two others were out about 
170 



THE LONG ROLL 

two miles from that city on the road to Bowling Green. Noth- 
ing transpired worthy of note. This was the first duty I have 
done since the Nineteenth of April. Last Tuesday evening, 
the night before going out on picket, General Reno's Division 
passed by here on their way to Pope's army, and among them 
was the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment which was with 
us at Hatteras, and with them was Mr. Holman whom you 
remember I am sure, and that I was glad to see him is equally 
sure. Our Regiment cheered them lustily as they passed. 

Saturday, August 16th. 
Company K of our Regiment has just returned from a scout 
and it was successfully rewarded by the capture of sixteen Rebel 
officers and their mail and some horses. Warring saw them 
coming in and he tells me the officers were splendidly uniformed 
and were returning to their Regiments at Richmond from 
furloughs. Big thing for Company K. 

Sunday, August 17th. 

Our Regiment is again on picket to-day on the same road 
we took previously. We cut a big splurge in Fredericksburg 
this morning, marching through in full dress, white gloves 
(how I hate white gloves on a soldier !), etc., etc., etc. 

Last night I did up all my drawings and my Journal in a 
parcel and sent them home for two or three reasons, which 
you may guess. First, for fear of their being lost in some future 
skcdad — no, not skedaddle — in some future march. Secondly, 
for fear the Rel)els might get hold of them, and thirdly, they 
would be too heavy to carry. Colonel Hawkins had seen them 
all, and at his request kept them in his quarters for a whole 
day tliat he might have time to examine them at his leisure. 
I asked him for his autograph under a picture I drew of him on 
Roanoke Island, and this he granted, of course. 

Monday Evening, August 18th. 
Returned from picket this morning, having been on duty 
as sentinel for the first time since April. Countersign " York- 

171 



THE LONG ROLL 

town." Received news to-day from New Orleans. They had 
quite a fight in repulsing Breckenridge at Baton Rouge. Our 
old General Williams, of whom our Regiment said so many 
hard things at Hatteras, was killed in this engagement, bravely 
fighting. God forgive me, if I have ever said anything wrong 
about him. Peace to his dust. By all accounts, he was a brave 
man. 

Another bit of good news, we read to-day, is that the 
" Arkansas " is at last gone, blown up. It seems, the " Essex," 
Captain Porter, son of the Captain Porter of the " Essex," 
already famous in our history, did the damage. Another 
Merrimack is gone. 

Friday Evening, August 22d. 

Out on picket again. We were out about a mile farther 
on the same road. Warring had the advance picket out by 
the cavalry, acting as Corporal of the entire guard. We heard 
heavy cannonading last night and it seems Pope is having a 
terrible struggle around Richmond, and hard rumors reach us 
that he is getting the worst of it, for it seems that the Rebel 
Generals have taken advantage of McClellan's late move, the 
evacuation of Harrison's Landing, and hurled all their forces 
on Pope on this side. We can not tell with any degree of 
certainty, of course, if Pope has gotten any more punishment, 
but we hear that he has been driven back some distance. I 
more than half expect that we will be ordered to re-enforce 
him if he suffers any severe loss. 

Saturday Morning, August 23d. 
No, we are not wanted by Pope, for though re-enforcements 
have been pouring out from here in lines of miles long, our 
Division is still uncalled-for. It was the most wonderful and 
heart-stirring sight imaginable, last night, to see the brave 
fellows press on, weary, but without a murmur. Regiment 
after Regiment passed by, without knapsacks, overcoats or 
blankets, cheerfully and with no apparent thought for their 
discomfort. Talk of suffering for your country ! If this is 
not suffering, what is ? And I know that they must have seen 
172 



THE LONG ROLL 

as much in one week as I have recorded here in sixteen months, 
for these men, whose Regiments have dwindled down to so 
few members, have all liad narrow escapes from death. Those 
who have lived to tell of what they have seen and gone through 
in the Seven Days' Fight have a great history, which I imagine 
would be well worth recording. Berdan's Sharp-Shooters 
pas-sed by here last niglit, and I had the pleasure of seeing 
" California Joe " of Yorktown notoriety. The pictures do 
him justice, and with all his fame he is unassuming, quite 
bashful and shy, shrinking from the fame his deeds have made 
for him. He wears his hair long in genuine California style, 
parting it in the middle. 

Sunday Evening, August 24th. 

The firing we heard last Friday was continued yesterday 
morning and then the sounds died away in a thundershower. 
We have only had unsatisfactory accounts of the heavy work. 
The first reports came in last night and were not calculated to 
cheer us much, for they were to the effect that Jackson was 
driving Pope to Hell. This was soon contradicted and now we 
know nothing better than that Pope is driving Jackson, not to 
Hell, but toward some of Pope's forces, which he has gotten 
around on the other side. He has captured some artillery and 
a few prisoners, and if this report is not contradicted, well and 
good. 

For the first time in this camp, I have had a pass to go 
outside the lines, and I have enjoyed myself amazingly, viewing 
this beautiful country. I got a sketch of the camp and a por- 
trait of my friend Frank Hughson. Our Regiment goes on 
picket again to-morrow. 

Tuesday Evening, August 26th. 

Had a nice day on picket. Was guarding the house of that 
rich old Socesii planter, Burnett. Had hardly a wink of sleep, 
for we had orders to keep awake, probably owing to the fact 
that some of the enemy's forces were reported to be in motion 
near us, by a deserter we took in this morning. 

Drew a sketch of the Rappahannock yesterday. Have 
heard strange rumors from the scene of the last fight. 

173 



THE LONG ROLL 

General McDowell is reported to have been caught signaling 
the enemy by General Siegel, and shot dead on the spot. 
If this is true, no wonder that Bull Run was lost. Clear 
out these men from among us, and we will probably then be 
able to put an end to this war. This is all the news we have 
had so far from the late battle. 

" Little Mac " was out looking at our Dress Parade last 
Sunday night, from an old ambulance wagon. Some of our 
boys claim to have seen him, but I did not. I don't doubt that 
he was seen, but I think it was a great slight that he did not 
call on me. 

Friday, August 29th. 

Wednesday there was considerable excitement in camp. 
It was reported that Jackson was on his way to this place with 
twenty-five thousand men, and it caused quite a skedaddUng 
tendency, at least among the sutlers and idlers. We had orders 
to have everything ready for leaving at a moment's notice. 
But for all that, we went on picket as usual yesterday 
morning, and I can do no better than to transcribe a few notes 
that I took, having nothing else to do. 

It seems that Jackson has now possession of both sides of 
the Rappahannock and is threatening a descent on Fredericks- 
burg, and our position on the other side. General Lee is said 
to be at Spottsylvania Court-House with twenty -five thousand 
men, at least our cavalry pickets have just reported to that 
eflFect. If this is true, and he should take it into his head to 
come down on Fredericksburg, we would be nicely caught 
here. The only thing I can think of for us to do, is to make 
for the Rappahannock, swim it and then try and make our 
forces, or if they should have skedaddled, try for the Potomac. 
But I guess there will not be much danger of such a sudden 
leave-taking, for we have still a few good batteries that could 
give them a lively check. Meanwhile, these thundering twenty- 
five thousand Rebels bother me less than the news from Minne- 
sota. They have had the most shocking time there with the 
Indians. The awful outrages of Inkpocutah have been com- 
pletely echpsed by the very tribe (the Sioux) that disowned 
174 



THE LONG ROLL 

and outlawed him some five years ago. At first, I feared for 
tlie safety of my Uncle and family, but later news did not 
confirm the first, that the barbarous fiends had extended their 
murders, and plunders as far down the Minnesota River as 
Saint Peter, above which my Uncle lives, but down as far as 
the village or town of New Ulm, about fifty miles above on 
the borders. The scene of these barbarities seems to be about 
Fort Ridgely, where they have murdered some sixty families, 
and sacked and burned as many homes. The terror-stricken 
inhabitants were flocking from the borders seeking safety in the 
towns, and every one who could carry a gun was doing so. 
When the last news left there, Ex-Governor Sibley (now Colonel) 
had twelve hundred men at Saint Peter marching to the relief 
of the inmates of Fort Ridgely, who were sending words by 
scouts that they were being attacked every hour, and only a 
speedy relief could save them. God grant that Sibley will 
reach them and that there will be a sore reckoning for these 
barbarous hell-hounds. I am anxiously waiting for news from 
that quarter, and when I get it the Journal shall know. 

The readers of my Journal will remember that I used to 
correspond with a certain Sergeant Hodgekins of a Massa- 
chusetts Battalion, stationed on the Rip Raps some time ago, 
whom I liked as a man and a soldier, I just heard to-night that 
he was dead from wounds received in the Seven Days' Fight. 
It seems he was left and fell into the hands of the Rebels, in 
some of those bloody battles, and that is the last of him. War ! 
War ! Heartless, remorseless W'ar ! 

Last night was quiet in spite of Lee's twenty-five thousand 
and not a shot was fired on our picket. We were released as 
usual, this morning, by the Fourth Rhode Island. 

Saturday Morning, August 30th. 
We had quite a lively time yesterday afternoon. While I 
was engaged in writing, the " Long Roll " commenced rolUng 
in a lively style and my pen was immediately exchanged for 
tlic sword. At first everything looked like fight, and it seemed, 
as the batteries were posted, they indicated an expected descent 

175 



THE LONG ROLL 

on Fredericksburg, for we have four batteries on this side of 
the river commanding the bridges and ready to set the city on 
fire. The women and children have had notice to leave since 
yesterday morning. But as the scouts came in, we heard that 
the cause of alarm was the Rebels retreating from our forces 
toward the Court-House of this County, after a thrashing, 
and the pickets thought it was a movement on this place. If 
all we hear is true, the Rebels above here must have been 
defeated severely and Siegel and King each had a hand in it. 
But we can place no dependence on these reports, for they are 
so contradictory, but we will probably know something in a 

day or two. rr, i o. 11 

Tuesday, September 2d. 

I now write at our new camp on the heights near Acquia 
Creek. Fredericksburg has been evacuated and Burnside's 
command has fallen back on this position. When I last wrote, 
I told of the " Long Roll" and the consequent rumors. I had 
hardly gotten this Journal packed away in my knapsack, when 
the "Assembly" called us together and we were told to go and 
relieve the same Regiment from picket that we did the previous 
morning. The other Regiments had been out on their arms, 
supporting the batteries commanding the river, all that night. 
Nothing occurred on picket in the way of warhke demonstra- 
tion to trouble us, but the clouds sponged out water enough 
to make us wet through, say a few quarts apiece. The next 
morning we marched through Fredericksburg for the last time 
for some time to come, in weather varying from just rainy to 
wet. We had no sooner struck our camp when we received 
orders to march in two hours, and in about four we were ready. 
In consideration of our being up so many nights lately and of 
having our clothes so wet, our knapsacks were put in the bag- 
gage wagons. The railroad-station and all rubbish were set 
on fire as we left, and the dark clouds of smoke commingling 
with the darker clouds of the atmosphere formed a dark scene 
of unusual interest. After we had been marching some time, 
one of the bridges or some shop in Fredericksburg exploded 
with a loud report. 
176 



ut 




^ 

w 




i'LATE &XXV1 






<i f* 








'1. 



Miller's Farm Hospital 



A ypi 








■'r^i.^ 




On the Potomac 



PLATE xxxvii 



THE LONG ROLL 

This march to Acquia Creek was a miserable one. We had 
been up three nights of the last four and were consequently 
sleepy, and you know it has been raining and the roads are 
muddy. It is to be hoped you also know what Virginia roads 
are, but if you do not, I certainly do not wish you to learn by 
experience. But even under unfavorable circumstances, I was 
impressed by the wonderful and romantic beauty of this part 
of the country, and if my kind reader had not read so much of 
the scenic beauties of the Old Dominion, and if I had more time, 
I would enlarge upon the subject ; but it must suffice this time, 
to say that we reached Acquia Creek yesterday morning at 
daylight, in a state of almost complete exhaustion, and got our 
tents up just in time to escape a good drenching. I hardly 
stacked my musket before I was off to sleep. From this I was 
aroused and refreshed by some coffee, and we then proceeded 
to this camp. And it is beautifully situated on a high hill, 
or rather a range of bluffs, with its batteries commanding the 
wooded country toward the rear, overlooking the Potomac, 
as it glides in silvery beauty below. 

Thursday, September 4th. 

Yesterday afternoon we struck tents expecting to leave 
for Washington or Alexandria last night, but we are still here, 
and waiting for the order to " Fall in." Of course, we had to 
.sleep without tcnt,s last night, but we succeeded in making 
ourselves comfortable, and for my part I was more so than 
on the night before. 

More war news to-day. Another big fight at Bull Run. 
Have seen the papers of the First. The second Bull Run battle 
was bloodier than the first by far, and has done more credit to 
our arms. The second day's events chill this good news, how- 
ever, for we hear that re-enforcements have compelled Pope 
to fall l)ack just as it was done a year ago. Pope has been 
strengthened by Franklin and Sumner, and is now said to be 
advancing with a strong, consolidated army. 

Nothing is heard from Siegel. General Stephens and Gen- 
eral Kearney are reported killed. Camp rumor has it that we 

177 



THE LONG ROLL 

go to Alexandria from here and from there to the front. I 
believe this. The fact is something is going wrong with us 
all the time. They seem to want all the troops they can scare 
up, at Washington. Wonder where " Mac " is ? Heavy cannon- 
ading to-day. T^ • 1 Ti^r • n 1 , 

Friday Mornmg, September 5th. 

Last night, about dusk, we formed our Regiment and 
marched down the bluffs and embarked on a fleet of transports, 
and then I went to sleep. When I awakened and rubbed my 
sleepy eyes, instead of the fleet in Acquia Creek, I saw a dock, 
a strange city, a long bridge, and then — the dome of the Capitol 
of our Country. 

We marched through the city to our present camping 
grounds near Georgetown, which was formerly called Fort 
Douglass. Washington did not surprise me, neither did it 
disappoint me. It was exactly such a place as I expected to see. 

(Later) I have read yesterday's paper and it presents 
rather a discouraging row of facts and I must say, with Stephen 
Blackpool, " Everything is in a muddle." No letters from 
Minnesota. Nothing but maddening news calculated to fill 
my mind with keenest anxiety. My home is some three miles 
from Saint Peter on the Minnesota River, and the papers 
contain an item of the horrible fact that two women have 
recently been found within two miles of that town, murdered 
in cold blood by the red hounds. Of what great crimes has this 
Nation been guilty, to have to make such terrible atonement ? 
When will this monstrous cup be filled ? But, fool that I am, 
what have I yet suffered, that I dare to ask such questions ! 

Sunday, September 7th. 
A letter from Charlotte to-day, and the only thing she said 
about Minnesota affairs was that she had a letter from our 
brother, Gustav. I feel much better, for surely she would have 
said more, had there been any particular news. 

We are now going on some kind of an expedition, but where 
I do not know. We are not to take our knapsacks and that 
would argue that we will soon return or it may mean that we 
178 



i 



THE LONG ROLL 

are to dispense with knapsacks as do the soldiers on the Pen- 
insula. At any rate I will liave to leave this companion of 
my leisure hours to the mercy of a couple of tents, in my old 
knapsack, and if I see you again, I am willing to consider myself 
lucky. But you need not weep at parting, for I promise not 
to forget you, and I have prepared a little note-book for the 
especial purpose of jotting down such items of interest as you 
will want to hear about. And you may rest assured that the 
Rel)els will have something to do, for " Little Mac" is ahead of 
us, and you know he is our " best." So console yourself in my 
absence, by thinking of the rich stores we will have laid up to 
chat about, when we shall meet again. 







.;-jur 

.;l bni; 



179 



CHAPTER XV 

The Battle of South Mountain 

September 8th. 

WE left Washington, or Camp Douglass, yesterday morn- 
ing about nine o'clock and proceeded toward Edward's 
Ferry, which is supposed to be our immediate desti- 
nation. As soon as we got well started, we were entangled in 
an endless chain of baggage wagons, and in consequence made 
rather slow progress, hardly marching seven miles before we 
bivouacked. The Rebels have crossed the Potomac above 
Harper's Ferry and now occupy Frederick City, Maryland, 
and I think we may be going in that direction. If the Rebels 
don't skedaddle then, some one will get hurt, for McClellan 
is at the head of us now and he is not the man to make a move 
for the fun of the thing. There are a great many rumors as to 
the forces of this expedition and the object, and the most 
probable seems to me to be that we are advancing to cut the 
Rebels off from the Potomac and surround them by three 
columns and from three different directions. I don't think 
Burnside holds any position other than Commander of his 
Corps, though it is whispered that he has some higher command. 
We expect to resume our march to-day, or, at any rate, early in 
the morning. 

September 9th. 
At four this morning, we were marching and have fixed 
camp in a field, to take the road again, however, in an hour. 
We have gotten our famous " dog-tents " as we call them, 
and they certainly look more as if intended to shelter the canines 
than men. They are in pieces about as large as a blanket and 
one of these is given to each man to carry. When the Regiment 
halts, it is but the work of a moment to cut a couple of stakes 
or poles and six pegs, and the tent is up, and buttoned together. 
They are no trouble to carry and will keep off dews at least 
and rain if it is not too heavy. And now we can say that we 
carry our houses on our backs. 
180 



THE LONG ROLL 

September 10th. 
We are now with the main army. We hear Jackson is 
recruiting in Frederick City. But I don't think he will stay 
there long enough to recruit very many. So far our boys are 
in good trim and I never knew the fighting spirit to rage so 
uniformly as it does now. McClellan seems to have put new 
life into everything, and I hope we will only get a fair shake 
at the enemy, as I think we can handle them " very easily," 
as General Phelps used to say. 

Thursday, September 11th. 
We have executed what our boys call a " masterly move- 
ment." We struck tents and marched from here at two o'clock 
yesterday morning, went three miles and then some one changed 
his mind, or some one else made a mistake, for we got " Right 
about face " and came back to our starting place, in a wringing 
sweat. Some think we are going back to Washington, but that 
is foolish. I think we branched off on the wrong road and we 
may have to march back or go across the country. However, 
we have orders to march again in an hour, and we will know 
some time. 

September 12th. 

But I have come to another conclusion since yesterday, 
that is that we are mighty careful about meeting some one 
ahead of us. We were not on the wrong road yesterday. We 
went in the same direction for about fourteen miles, passing 
the village of Damascus about noon. We occasionally caught 
a glimpse of the Sugar Loaf Mountains through the trees that 
line the road. The country is becoming more mountainous 
and is entrancingly beautiful. This road runs on a modest 
mountain ridge, and every turn brings to our view the most 
beautiful and extensive landscapes. Add to this, the pictur- 
esque effect of the seemingly endless files of troops in the fore- 
ground, and you can imagine the picture. 

Our Division pitched in a sloping clover field last night, 
and we are now eating breakfast of crackers and milk pre- 

181 



THE LONG ROLL 

para to ry to starting on another tramp. The Rebels are only 
fourteen miles ahead of us and we expect a fight. 

We have heard from Company F of our Regiment, which 
is stationed at Plymouth, North Carolina. They have had a 
fight with seven times their number, killing some and taking 
one Colonel and four other prisoners, losing one killed and several 
wounded. The Company was led by Sergeant Green, no com- 
missioned officer being present. I hope the main body does as 
well in proportion as the detachment. 

September 13th, Seven A. M. 
I write in the city of Frederick, which was evacuated yester- 
day and immediately occupied by our troops. I did think 
the Rebels would show fight here, but with the exception of a 
little cannonading and a cavalry skirmish, there was nothing 
to speak of. The reception of our troops was extremely enthusi- 
astic and the soldiers who could get out into the city were 
dragged into the houses and given everything that would fill 
empty stomachs. Indeed, the cheering of the overjoyed inhabit- 
ants exceeded anything I have ever heard, and I was once of the 
opinion that there was a general row in the streets, so great was 
the din of commingling shouts. Frederick City is not only 
loyal but beautiful, as we could see in our first glimpse of its 
picturesque spires piercing the blue background formed by 
the Catoctin Mountains, and the white houses nestled lovingly 
in the valley beneath us. It is a great wonder to me that the 
Rebels did not blow up the bridge which spans the Monocacy 
Ridge, for I think that would have delayed us materially. But 
they may not have had time. 

September 14th, Three P. M. 
We marched through Frederick yesterday morning, cheered 
by the masculine and waved at by the feminine population. 
We were sent out on a road about five miles on the extreme 
left, to support a Regiment of Lancers who reported a lot of 
Rebels cornered in an orchard. Our flanking company was 
sent out and that not being enough, the right platoon of 
182 



THE LONG ROLL 

" Ours " was detailed for the purpose, Lieutenant Frank Powell 
eoniniandinj^. We started with the Laneers up an abrupt road 
leadiiii,' toward the top of the Catoetin Ridge and went about 
a hall a mile to a sort of a ravine or gorge. Here we were 
attacked, six shots being fired in rapid succession from an 
invisii)le foe. The Lancers turned about in a hurry and we 
were immediately deployed as skirmishers on the right side 
of the road, and advanced to uncover the enemy. It was mighty 
hard work, that little skirmish through the ravine and then up 
the steep bluff, tiiickly wooded, from where we expected, of 
<'ourse, to be fired upon at any moment. I3ut we reached the 
nexl ridge without seeing anyliiing worthy of notice and there, 
al)(>ut a thousand yards ahead of us, w^as a small troop of 
ca\alry. I do not know if the Lieutenant saw them or not, 
but a shot was fired to the left which attracted our attention 
and at which the troop disappeared. The shot was fired at 
a Rebel who had climbed a tree to watch the motions of our 
Lancers, never suspecting the presence of infantry. He was 
secured, of course, but the other birds had flown. 

A dispatch came just then ordering us to advance on the 
right side of the road, as the Regiment was deployed and ad- 
vancing on the left. We started on and went through about 
a mile of cornfield, finally bursting out into an open field just 
ai)out abreast of the other boys. And the landscape, as we 
j)auseil on the open ridge, was indeed magnificent. Beneath 
us was ten miles of country checkered with fields of grain of 
various hues, some having already yielded their harvests, thus 
imparting a stranger brilliancy with the contrast to the rest. 
Through them all were scattered beautiful groves and the 
farmers' home-like hjoking barns and cottages ; and the Blue 
Ridge, in its massive, dark-blue shade, seemingly dividing 
this spot from the ever-changing landscape of the Heavens. 

There were no further events of importance that day, and 
wc marched back to Frederick, where we pitched in the same 
camp, very tired from our severe day's labor. I might say 
that I was with two sections who were separated from the 
Regiment, and the Captain thought we were lost. This was 

183 



THE LONG ROLL 

through the foolishness of our Sergeant who commanded us, 
and it is not worth the paper to relate the particulars. 

This morning, our Colonel had us up before daybreak, 
and though it was with some efiFort that we bent our stiff joints, 
at the word " March " we were on our way out of Frederick 
City, and went two miles up on the turnpike road. From 
time to time, as we passed up the windings of the road, we could 
not help but notice the signs of the good fight the Rebels 
evidently made for every inch of ground, yielding only after 
severe obstinacy. Coming up on the top of the ridge, the same 
scene opened before us that I described yesterday, with some 
differences resulting from the point of view. Here was the 
same vast plain, but now we had a fair view of the road as it 
passed through the village of Middletown, glorying in two 
steeples, from one of which we could see military signals flying. 
We could see the white puffs of smoke and catch the dull sound 
of which we all knew the meaning. Troops were scattered 
about through the plain, more thickly near the village. It 
was not hard for me to conclude from these observations 
that Middletown was headquarters, and that beyond the 
mountains there was to be a game of ball in which we probably 
would be pitching before night. 

And here we are now, in our bivouac near Middletown, 
watching with anxious eyes the fierce battle now raging up 
in the mountains, waiting for the word to take a hand therein. 
The enemy's position is a strong one and the ground seems to 
be hotly contested. Our boys are hardly in a condition for 
fight ; but if it comes, I am willing to take a hand. 

Monday Morning, Six O'clock, 
September 15th. 

I write on the battlefield of yesterday. It was a glorious 
day for our Country; costly, blood-purchased, but it was a 
glorious victory. Poor General Reno is no more. . My Journal 
has been acquainted with him and can be certain of his merit 
as a General, and not a shadow of a hint can be spoken against 
184 




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■ Going Home " 
From Sketch by Fredrick B. Johnson 



PLATE XLI 



THE LONG ROLL 

his bravery. He fought gallantly and fell late in the day, a 
glorious sacrifice to his Country. 

About four o'clock yesterday afternoon, the order came 
for General Rodman's Division to march immediately for the 
scene of fury, and Colonel Kimball tells us this morning that 
the order read " Double-quick." This, of course, was impracti- 
cable, for our route was through gorge and ravine and over 
ridges, up steep bluffs, woods, rocks and fences, and it could 
not be " Double-quicked." As we pressed on, up the toilsome 
road, we occasionally met ambulances full of wounded, and 
squads of prisoners marching to the rear toward the village. 
But there were very few shirkers, which bespoke plainly that 
the fight, wherever it was, was going well. We could hear no 
musketry, though indications told us that we were near enough, 
and if it had not been for the loud whizzing of our shells at 
regular intervals, I might have thought that the fight was over. 
We now came up on the ridge of the plowed field occupied by 
the battery we had heard playing, and then we descended a 
steep declivity, where we could not see, though we could hear, 
the shots of the enemy as they met those of our battery in the 
air high al)ove us. Again we went up a steep bluff, and thicker 
came the prisoners, strongly guarded by squads and companies. 
They were ragged, without anything like shoes on their bleeding 
feet, and they looked miserable indeed. I saw one poor fellow 
who walked with his head down, mortified that he could not 
be allowed to be without the hands of his captor on his shoulder, 
to show every one that he had been taken prisoner. I felt keenly 
what my own thoughts would be, if walking thus, under a 
Rebel's triumphant leer. 

Arriving at last at the top of the ridge, we filed to the left 
through some woods and had another height to climb, steeper 
than any we had yet ascended. Here was the advance position, 
and knowing that, when once there, nothing but woods would 
be between us and the Rebels, we climbed with high excitement 
and commenced forming the brigade along the ridge facing the 
woods, as accurately as if preparing for Dress Parade. Our 
Regiment formed on the right of the stone wall which had been 

185 



THE LONG ROLL 

the center of the contest during the day, and the One Hundred 
Third and the Eighty-ninth New York Regiments were forming 
on the left, allowing the brigade that had been fighting all day, 
to fall to the rear. This was being done and I was wondering 
that still no enemy was visible, when a long rattling volley of 
musketry burst upon us, gradually becoming the irregular 
firing at will. I was with the guard on the left, by the wall, 
and the bullets, a whole shower of them, rushed madly over 
our heads. I could hardly help laughing at the precipitant 
retreat of the supernumeraries down the hill, when I found out 
it was them, and not the brigade as I at first feared. Now the 
fight grew fiercer, and we could see that the Eighty-ninth was 
doing its work up brilliantly and repelling the sudden attack. 
A lightning flash and stunning report of artillery near us seemed 
to frighten both parties of the musketry into silence. This was 
quickly followed by others in rapid succession and soon the 
musketry ceased entirely, telling us that the enemy had fled. 
But they might rally again and Kimball had the right wing 
of his Regiment out in less time than it takes to tell it, to support 
the battery, which was evidently the object of the attack. But 
no Rebels came and gradually there was quiet, with only an 
occasional interruption of a discharge of grape into the woods. 

We were engaged in applauding the gallant Eighty-ninth 
for its noble conduct, when again the sound of musketry rattled 
harshly, but more distantly, upon our ears. The sounds pro- 
ceeded from a hollow on our right and kept up for two hours 
steadily. The darkness set in long before it ceased, and I was 
lying on the mountain-top, shivering from the rough wind, 
vainly trying to go to sleep, with the sound grating in my ears. 

The enemy is now in retreat and we are waiting for the word 
to go forward. Meanwhile let us glance a little over the field. 
The Rebel dead are scattered about us in every direction, and 
in yonder wood they tell me the poor fellows are in heaps, and 
there is every horrible proof that our foes fought for their 
splendid position here, with a dogged valor well worthy of a bet- 
ter cause. Here on the very spot where we are now, the Rebels 
were yesterday morning, and up on the face of the precipice, 
186 



THE LONG ROLL 

the Ohioans under Franklin and Reno charged again and again, 
and with Yankee courage and obstinacy carried the position 
against ahnost insurniountahle difficulties. My sketch shows 
a small portion of the field, but I think the most interesting, 
for it was from the cornfield in the center that the Ohioans 
finally charged into the enemy posted behind the fence and 
wall, which is in the foreground. Routing them from this snug 
little position, they did not stop until they drove them at the 
point of the bayonet into the woods, and were recalled from 
their eager pursuit. 

It was here, too, that our left was attacked last night, 
and to the right, in the foreground, a little farther up along the 
fence, the section of Robinson's Battery was stationed, which, 
they all swear, would have been taken, if we had not arrived 
just in time to save it. It seems the Rebels contemplated taking 
this battery and position at all hazards and so regain the hill, 
and no troops could be spared from other parts of the field, 
and our Division was sent for to come up in " Double-quick " 
as I have told you. We were not yet formed, when the charge 
was made, but the Rebels were disheartened at meeting fresh 
tr()<^I)s, and .soon went back, leaving us in peaceful possession 
of tiie field. We have gained a complete victory, taking between 
three and four thousand prisoners, among whom are some taken 
and paroled on Roanoke Island. A Doctor Jordan, who at- 
tended Captain Wise in his last moments, now lies not many 
rods from me. A musket ball and a bayonet have pierced his 
body r-^ '♦ 

And thus ends the Battle of South Mountain. 




187 



CHAPTER XVI 

The Battle of Antietam. The First Day. 

Tuesday Morning, September 16th. 

YESTERDAY afternoon we received our orders to forward 
and commenced to move down the other side of the 
mountain on a rough and steep road. Here Death reigns 
in all his most terrible ghastliness. Never have I looked upon 
a scene so horribly fascinating ; such a heart-rending spectacle. 
On either side of the road were the Rebel dead, literally piled 
upon one another in twos and threes, their ragged clothes 
covered with dust and marked with the dark clots of blood 
from the death wound. The ghastly faces and beamless eyes 
were upturned to us as though in deadly reproach, as we victors 
marched along. No moan, even of the faintest, escaped these 
motionless forms, to sound the solemn requiem for the Death 
King. I noticed one man, a large, powerfully built soldier, 
with a huge beard and moustache, and why it is I can not tell, 
but he haunts my memory above all the rest. I felt, as I passed 
the lifeless form, how soon I might be lying cold as he was, 
vacantly staring up, up where I hope his soul has gone ! While 
we were passing these gray piles, each one of us wrapped in his 
own thoughts, we suddenly heard the dull report of artillery 
toward the front. But we did not get to our camping ground 
before eleven o'clock last night. The Rebels tried to shell us 
out this morning and our ambulances and baggage had to go 
to the rear. General McClellan just passed our camp, returning 
from the front where he has been superintending the artillery 
duel commenced by the Rebels. He was seated on a brown 
horse and was surrounded by several officers. He turned his 
eyes toward us once, as we lay on our arms, and then turned 
to the perusal of a letter. This is the first time I have seen 
this great man. 

On the Battlefield^ 
Wednesday Afternoon, September 17th. 
This day will be a famous one in the history of our country. 
We are now on our arms trying to console ourselves for the 
188 



THE LONG ROLL 

hard work we have had in crossing the Antietam Creek at a 
ford above here, and then scrambHng up the face of an almost 
perpendicular cliff, to re-enforce the troops already here, who 
came by way of tlie bridge which they gallantly stormed and 
took this morning. We have dispatched a poor apology of a 
dinner, a few cruml)s from this morning's rations of hardtack. 
As I write, the shells of Company K's Battery are passing 
with deafening noise over our heads, toward the enemy on 
our right. 

Have just seen the Reverend Mr. Holman of the Forty- 
eighth Pennsylvania, and had a long talk with him. He showed 
me a l)eautiful Secesh sword he captured this morning. It bears 
the motto ** Liberty or Death." The decision was " Death " 
for that poor man. 

I will try to toll something of our adventures since yesterday 
noon, l)ut the fight is obstinate, and I don't know what moment 
we will be called for. 

It was almost dark when we got our orders yesterday, and 
moved forward to take our position in line of battle. When 
we were abreast of our artillery, we halted and were shown the 
position of the enemy on an opposite range of hills. We could 
see even their apparently " pigmy " forms in relief against the 
darkening sky. After about a half an hour we pushed slowly 
forward for a .short distance, cautioned to keep silence, as we 
were in the immediate front of the enemy. Proceeding thus 
noiselessly, we reached a corn field, pickets were deployed in 
front of us, and we were then permitted to sleep. We all knew 
that the morrow would be signalized by a general struggle, 
and also that the enemy was within talking distance. Still 
wo slept, hoping that our slumbers might not be disturbed by 
tiio ooming foe. At the earliest peep of gray dawn, we were 
awakoiiod, for our officers expected an attack as they always do, 
and suro onough, wo got it. As soon as there was light enough, 
our pickets discovered the Rebels and there commenced a 
little battle between them, but such a petty affair was not to 
disgrace the day. Soon a horseman was seen, and after he 
disappeared, something struck and kicked up a cloud of dust 

189 



THE LONG ROLL 

right by the side of one of our pickets, and this was followed 
by a terrific noise, indicating as plainly as such things can talk, 
that a shell had been sent with the compliments of our friends 
on the other side. And not content with sending one, they 
sent a whole cloud of them, and a beautiful range they had too. 
Every one of them exploded just as nicely as they could wish> 
squarely over our heads, shaking its fragments among us,, 
leaving only a harmless cloud of smoke to roll peacefully away, 
as if satisfied with its work and glad to return to its proper home 
in the atmosphere. Things grew savage. There we stood 
watching these infernal things, afraid to move lest we should 
get in their way and be the cause of an accident. The order 
came to file back into the woods out of the fire, and some one 
blundered and would have us up on a ridge where we would 
be in better range than before. Kimball got mad and said 
some things and finally told us to get back into the woods 
out of the fire any way. This order was carried out in admirable 
confusion, and while we were in this pleasant state, the Rebels 
sent Hell after us in the most approved manner. Corporal 
McKinley was knocked over with a piece of shell not over three 
feet from me. Shultz was hit, on the other side of me, and my 
old friend Dennis got a slight hurt in the leg, right next to my 
precious self.* We finally got out of range into an open field 
and into something like shape, and then what do you think 
we got ? No more use for grape and canister, but nothing less 
than stumps of railroad iron as long as my arm. If this was 
not adding insult to injury ! But we could pay little attention 
to these unwelcome missiles, and proceeded into a valley by a 
farm and stacked our arms in a field, while we had breakfast. 
This was coffee without sugar, but I relished the meal and we 
were ready then for our orders to take up a new position on 
a hill. From this place we had a magnificent view of the tre- 
mendous contest which is even now raging with unabated fury, 
on the right arm center, almost immediately below us. 

* Corporal John McKinley. Wounded at Camden and at Antietam 
James Sbultz, Company I. Wounded at Antietam. 
Edward Dennis, Company I. Wounded at Antietam. * 

190 



THE LONG ROLL 

We could see the smoke of musketry as plainly as we could 
hear the rattle, and though we knew not then what object there 
was in such a dogged and spirited contest, for the woods hid 
the troops from us, it is now clear, for the Rebels defended the 
bridge stoutly before they left it to the resistless troops of 
Burnside. We could see from our lofty position too, where 
the center was pouring in a ceaseless 6re toward the Rebels, 
and our view extended even to the extreme right, as far as five 
miles. From every hill shot forth puffs of white smoke, which 
showed, though we could not see a gunner or a gun, that they 
were occupied by our artillery. Owing to the nature of the 
ground, we had a much better view of the Rebel position than 
of our own, and could plainly see their gunners going through 
the motions. Often we saw clouds of dust from our shells hide 
their guns, which made us for the moment think that some one 
piece was annihilated, but a saucy puff would assure us of our 
mistake, as they sent a reply to our salutation. The vast land- 
scape was completely dotted with pillars of smoke, and the 
continuous roll of the artillery in the distance, commingling 
with the loud noise of the nearer guns, and the rattle of small 
arms beneath, made a noise — not a noise, but a savage, con- 
tinual thunder, that is not equaled by any sound I have ever 
heard. 

An Aide came to General Rodman, and immediately after 
we were ordered to " Attention " and sent down the fields 
toward the creek. The General procured a guide to show him 
the ford, and after many dubious windings and turnings into the 
woods, we came to what appeared to be rapids, and into 
this we plunged. Some Rebel sharpshooters discovered us and 
did not fail to scatter a few of their bullets from long range, 
but what little damage was done was mostly from the bubbling 
waters. Out of the creek, we found the steep cliff before us,' 
and with considerable difficulty scrambled up here, and here 
we are. God only knows where we will be before the sun goes 
down. 



191 



THE LONG ROLL 

" The Long Roll." 

HARDLY had I put my note-book in my pocket after 
writing the outline of the preceding notes, when we 
were again ordered to " Fall in " and we knew our tug- 
of-war was coming in earnest. Our troops took up a new posi- 
tion under a hill, and from over its top we could hear the whiz- 
zing of musket and rifle balls piercing the air. Soon the cannon 
balls mingled with the sharp play of small arms, and I noticed 
one of them coming like an india-rubber ball through the air. 
It struck the top of the hill, boring up a mass of earth, and then 
bounded high in the air, passing over our heads with a noise 
I can liken to nothing but the savage yell of some inhuman 
monster. If it is true that you never see cannon balls except 
when they are coming toward you, I must have been in a fair 
way for eternity. 

We were all in line and the cannonading as well as the 
musketry was getting hotter every moment, and I was expecting 
the order for a general advance, when, to my surprise, our 
Company was ordered to deploy in front of the Brigade as 
skirmishers. Captain Leahy was evidently glad of the oppor- 
tunity, for the hill looked like a pleasant place to him. We were 
soon advancing up the hill; came to a fence over which we 
leaped, and it was there, though I did not know it at the time, 
that poor Murphy met his fate. 

From the top of the hill, we could see, at a distance of about 
six hundred yards, a body of skirmishers playing away behind a 
stone wall, while on a hill behind them was the main body. 
Here Captain Leahy ordered us to lie down so as to let the 
ridge give us all possible shelter, " retain sight of the wall and 
fire," and so forth. Here I fired my first shot at an enemy I 
could see. We had not used more than three rounds when 
Captain Leahy shouted, " There they go. Boys, they are run- 
ning ! " I will never forget the indescribable thrill that went 
through my veins. I had been firing silently, and trying to 
guard myself as much as possible from the showers continually 
passing with fearful whistles and moans over our heads, but I 
192 



THE LONG ROLL 

suddenly did not think that was worth while, and it took too 
long to load, lying down. We were ordered to advance down 
in the hollow now, and as the skirmishers had disappeared, 
we turned our attention to the battery on the hill. We 
descended into the hollow with an excited shout, and found 
another body of skirmishers had preceded us there, but they 
did not deter us from firing. We kept up a continual fire now, 
exchanging some bits of conversation the while, such as :" What 
do you belong to ? " " This will be a great day in history." 
" They fight damned stubbornly." " Getting Hell on the right, 
though." *' There ought to be a charge soon." And the fire 
seemed to be ten times hotter even than on the hill, for from 
the batteries the Rebels could see us but too plainly, and if 
we had not been protected to some extent by the natural 
embankment, it would have been the worse for us. I had fired 
about a dozen rounds when I found that some of my cartridges 
were useless, those in the bottom of the box having become 
wet while we were crossing the stream. I told Captain Leahy 
about it, and he said if the Regiment did not come up soon, 
we would have to return for more ammunition, and if it did, 
we would join them on the charge. Just as he was speaking, 
a Regiment came thundering along on a " Double-quick," 
but we looked in vain for the red caps — they were not our boys. 
They were met by a perfect shower of shell and grape, but they 
took possession of the embankment. One poor fellow, who 
was not able to keep up with the wild speed of his Regiment, 
came on a little behind, evidently trying to get to his place in 
the ranks as soon as possible, but his destiny was decided other- 
wise. A projectile came along with its deafening death-cry, 
and took him right in his groin, severing his limbs completely 
from his body. If I could have heard his shriek, it would not 
have been so horrible, l)ut to see him seize at his limbs, and 
fall back with a terril)le look of agony, without being able to 
catch a sound from him — Oh God! May I never be doomed to 
wxtrifs.i {furh a f^iijlit again I 

From this time I was in a delirium ; I was mad. I recollect 
a stone wall, yes, that part is perfect in my memory. The stone 

193 



THE LONG ROLL 

wall where Captain Leahy tried to lead on a whole Brigade, 
and no one but the Color-man would move, but how we got 
there, I do not know. I remember I rushed up a hill trying 
to find where our boys were, but they had passed us while 
we were skirmishing. I stood for a moment wondering where 
all the rest of the Company was. The air was filled with a 
deluge of bullets, grape, canister and shell, and up there to 
the left, what a picture that was to paint on my memory. Our 
boys thinned down to a Company, still carrying their Colors, 
borne triumphantly through Roanoke and Camden. My God ! 
Look ! The Colors have fallen ! Ah ! They are up again ! 
While I was drinking in this scene, I must have reached the 
wall or fence, for there is where I was sitting, unable to fire my 
musket, with nothing left in my cartridge box. I did have sense 
enough to keep my last charge in my musket. I saw the Rebels 
quite plainly through the smoke and dust of the cornfield, 
going through the motions of firing and loading, and I had a 
kind of indistinct notion that they might charge, and in that 
case, I had one shot ready for them. I will confess to one 
cowardly thought. Why did I stay here? With no chance 
to retaliate, why not get out of danger ? But even now, when 
all feeling and common sense seemed to be gone, a rude sense 
of honor put away the idea quickly and determined me to stay 
rather than to turn my back to the foe. 

Our Major Jardine, who commanded the Eighty-ninth, 
attracted my attention. He had a Rebel battle-flag in his 
hand which he had spilled blood to capture. His face was 
as calm and his manner as cool as though he was going through 
the ceremony on Parade, while, could the death messengers 
have left their shadows, as they flitted through the air, they 
would have clouded the sun. What attracted my attention 
to him particularly, was an incident which I hear was not the 
only instance on that bloody day, when the cowardly and 
miserable trick was practised upon us at the expense of God 
knows how many men. Displaying the " Stars and Stripes " 
in front of the line in the heat of battle, to gain the advantage 
of its protection ! As I saw it, the enemy played the trick so 
194 



THE LONG ROLL 

cunningly as to deceive for a moment even the cool and prac- 
tised eye of Major Jardine, for as soon as our flag caught his 
eye, 1 supy)ose he thought some flanking movement had been 
executed by our forces, and in words clear and ringing so as 
to be heard loud above the din of battle, he shouted, " For 
God's sake, don't fire on our own men ! " But the words were 
hardly spoken when he saw his mistake, and in even louder 
tone, if that were possible, he ordered, " At them. Boys, they 
arc under false colors !j Give them Hell ! " While noting this, 
I became pretty much excited, as may be imagined. I was 
quite alone between the two Regiments and my fez must have 
caught tlie attention of the lot in the corn, for I was warned 
in a polite strain, that I was seen and marked, by the sharp 
hissing of two '* Minie " balls as they came in rather too close 
proximity to my head, and as if to convince me, that it was 
an earnest game, tlie third arrived. Lower than the first, 
higher than the second, skipping along the ground with an 
angry noise, it entered my flesh sideways in the left hip, causing 
a sensation from which I might with reason think my whole 
side was annihilated. I started up with an involuntary excla- 
mation, which I shudder to think of now, for if the wound had 
been mortal, I would have died uttering with my last breath 
a horril)lc curse. To my joy, I found that I could stand, that 
is. if in the bewildered state I was then in, I was capable of 
experiencing either joy or sorrow. At any rate, it was clear 
that I had been shot and could be of no more use in that day's 
fight, and in the language of one of our boys when relating his 
adventures, "Didn't I skedaddle, though, out of that fire !" 
I would have shown my heels, but I could n't very well with an 
ounce of lead in one of my hips. But I cleared the ground 
pretty well, put it in any expression you please, until I got 
out of the hottest of that terrific fire. After that desirable feat 
was accomplished, I took my time and found out that the ball 
had lodged in the flesh and that nothing very serious had been 
mashed. It was then, while I was making my way to the rear 
with the blood streaming down my legs, that one of the most 
sublime sights that has been witnessed during this war was 

195 



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displayed. The sun was just tipping the wood-tops on its 
grand, downward course, and the rash and gallant Burnside 
was exerting his utmost strength, and with almost superhuman 
eflFort, resisting the overwhelming force with which the Rebels 
tried to drive him from his dearly -bought ground, in accordance 
with the orders from the military genius who ruled this great 
day. And nobly did his gallant men do their duty. Nobly 
did they submit to having their ranks torn and decimated 
with infantry sustained by artillery, while they could only 
reply with pop-guns. It was in vain that Burnside called for 
artillery to sustain his infantry, and reply to the enemy's 
cannon, which seemed to mow his men down with shell, grape 
and the more terrible spherical case-shot. There was no help 
for it ; for some reason, artillery was not to be had, and the hiU 
must he held. The sun, dimmed by an occasional strip of cloud, 
went down in full, autumn glory, and its last beam saw the 
hill in Burnside's possession. 

And — Afterward. 
I reached the hospital some time before the day's strife 
was over. In fact, by the time I got there, faint from loss of 
blood and the exertion, I was of the opinion that the Rebels 
had gained an immense advantage over us ; but it may be, 
that in my bewildered state, the fierceness of the contest seemed 
greater at a distance, than when I was actually in the hottest 
of the fire. I certainly experienced the most terrible depression 
of spirits imaginable, as the battle-heat gradually wore off, 
leaving me to realize the full force of what I had been through. 
And the terrible sights and sounds that met me as I approached 
the hospital did not tend to relieve my mind. There were 
already over a hundred of our boys alone, lying on straw and 
cornstalks, with wounds of all imaginable shapes and sizes. 
Our tireless Doctor Humphreys and his assistants were very 
busy, I can tell you, bandaging, sewing and cutting human flesh. 
The sights were terrible, but the sounds were more so, although, 
as a general thing, our boys made light of their wounds. Some 
one helped me to a rude bed of straw and relieved me of my 
196 



THE LONG ROLL 

accouterments, and my canteen was refilled, but this comfort 
was denied us, for I had not been here five minutes, when the 
Rebels turned on a heavy fire from a neighboring height. Our 
Doctor ordered all those who could crawl, to start out. " Leave 
everything. Boys, and go for your lives, they are firing at us." In 
my hurry I forgot my belt and cartridge box, much to my self- 
reproach afterward. I have not learned just what damage was 
done by this beautiful piece of work, but I don't see how every 
one could escape, the way we were scattered about at the time. 

In making my way to the rear with the other newly-made 
cripples, I encountered a couple of our cooks who were bringing 
up freshly cooked meat to the Company, and of course, I wanted 
some, for like others newly wounded, I felt savagely hungry. 
I got two chunks of meat, either one as big as my fist, and the 
way I pitched into them was a caution. I finished them by 
the time I got to the farm house, to which we had been sent. 
Miller's Farm House Hospital, and still I craved for more. 
Nothing was to be had but apples from the orchard, and I was 
now in such a state I could not move. But this difficulty was 
remedied by one of Duryeas' Zouaves, who got me all I wanted, 
and I had enough at last. 

And now I will return to my note-book after this digression 
in favor of Antictam, myself and you being satisfied, I hope, 
that I had enough to eat for once. I will commence by giving 
you the note written on the morning of the Eighteenth, before 
my wound was looked to or dressed. 

Thursday Morning, September 18th. 
I have been wounded again. Was struck in the left hip by 
a musket ball, and I am now lying here on the stoop of a farm 
house, waiting, with more or less patience, for a doctor to 
examine and dress the wound. I can feel the l)all now below 
the hip, and I don't think there will be much trouble to get it 
out. The groans of the poor fellows around me are heart- 
sickening in the extreme. I reckon the whole number of 
wounded here is nearly three hundred. My old friend Dennis 
has gotten it i)retty badly in both legs. I would like to know 

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who are killed in our Company. I will probably know to-mor- 
row. Slept a little last night, and was troubled by a dream in 
which demons, rattlesnakes. Hell, brimstone, cannon-balls and 
railroad iron, bayonets and pitchforks, powder and smoke 
were all conglomerated into one shapeless, endless whirl, with 
me in the midst, though suffering no particular harm. I finally 
woke up with a severe cramp in my stomach, a likely result of 
my ravenous eating yesterday. 

Friday Morning, September 19th. 

After the firing we heard yesterday morning, everything was 
quiet and the two great powers seemed to be taking a short rest 
after the extraordinary exertions of the day before. About 
noon, two or three of our boys were carried up here from the 
field, being wounded in a skirmish they had this morning " with 
the retreating enemy." But that they have retreated far is 
doubtful. We have fought one of the greatest battles of the 
war. Our killed and wounded is roughly estimated at ten 
thousand, and our Regiment contributes two hundred seventy- 
five, as far as we know. This great blood-bath, of which both 
parties as yet claim to be the victors, will be known as the 
Battle of Antietam, taking its name from the stream which we 
crossed, and whose waters received such a liberal contribution 
of " Life's Red Liquid " from the heroic men of Burnside. Of 
course, we hear any amount of unlikely stories from the front, 
but I do not consider them worth repeating. I may except 
one, however, and that is to the effect that the enemy is retreat- 
ing, and if that is true, it leaves us the victory. 

Shortly after writing my note of the Eighteenth, I requested 
Doctor Harding, one of Doctor Humphrey's assistants, to look 
at my wound. I showed him where I felt the ball and his 
butcher knife was out in a twinkling and I made up my mind 
to have a jaw-tooth pulled. What was my surprise when the 
soft-handed little Doctor showed me a good-sized " Minie " 
ball before I even thought I felt the incision of his sharp-edged 
tool. One of Professor Anderson's sleight-of-hand tricks would 
not have surprised me more, or pleased me more, either, for 
198 



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that matter. After this easy operation, the wound was dressed 
and l^andagcd, and I felt better, of course. 

Saturday, September 20th. 

It is now certain that the Rebels are retreating as fast as 
they can toward the Potomac, which they will now probably 
be able to recross, owing to oifr loss of Harper's Ferry. We 
heard firing this morning, which argues that ^IcClellan is hurry- 
ing them up, if nothing more. Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball 
made a flying visit to us yesterday. He is in glorious humor, 
shakes hands with every one and says, " Brave Boys, Damned 
brave Boys." I asked him if he was never going to have the 
luck to get hit. at which he held out his hand and showed me 
a bullet and he will have it that it hit him somewhere. No, 
by all the powers of war, no one covdd cheat him out of a wound 
this time. We expect to get sent away soon, as there is certainly 
no accommodation for us here. 

(My next note was written on the Twenty-fifth and I was 
in no condition to see or to write anything, for I don't think I 
ever knew what homesickness meant before. The world seemed 
to be so hopelessly dark and I did long for the influence of Home. 
Every object in the landscape was tainted with the ravages of 
war, and around us the eye could not wander without resting 
on bloody and mutilated forms, some laughing and joking, 
some praying, some groaning, and some alas, struggling with 
Death, with the death-rattle in their throats. If I could only 
get away from all this, to change the bloody and filthy clothes 
I was compelled to wear for something clean, and what would 
I not have given for a bed on which I could get one night's 
sleep ! Our f()t)d was poor, and in a few days it became abso- 
lutely tantalizing even to look at. I was without a cent of 
money which would have enal)lcd me to buy something from 
the ncigiil)oring farms to temj)t my miserable appetite. Every- 
tliing conspired against me as if to see how miserable a human 
being could be made.) 

Yesterday, it was one week that we have been lying in this 
miserable hospital and still there are no signs of getting away. 

199 



THE LONG ROLL 

I don't expect to be sent home, but I do think we have a right 
to expect the Government to treat us as wounded soldiers 
deserve to be treated. I should think that we have need of 
something in the eating line more nourishing than crackers 
and poor coffee. My breakfast and dinner have been a small 
piece of pie a friend gave me, for it is absolutely impossible for 
me to stomach the miserable rations we get here. The talk is 
that the men receive excellent care in Middletown and Fred- 
erick, I do hope they will send us anywhere, so that it is out 
of this place. Captain Leahy and Corporal Warring have been 
here to see Dennis and myself. Captain Leahy said he would 
try to get us both furloughs. I hope he succeeds, but still I 
would just as soon be sent to Philadelphia or Baltimore as to 
New York, for reasons you can easily understand. I would 
have to go into a hospital, even if I was in New York, or spend 
all the money I have saved since I was there last. Warring 
gave me the much desired information as to who were killed 
of our Company. The number is smaller than in any other, 
owing to our luck in getting that skirmishing to do just before 
the fight. Levi Collins who was in my mess at Roanoke Island 
was killed in the skirmish. I remember hearing his death shriek 
now, but I did not have any suspicion at the time, that it was 
poor ColUns. James Murphy was killed in jumping the fence 
when we advanced, as I mentioned. Jack Adair, our Color 
Corporal, was killed at his post about the same time I was shot. 
These are all who were killed, with about nine who were 
wounded.* 

Frederick City, September 29th. 
Yesterday morning, Sunday, a train of ambulances came to 
Miller's Farm Hospital and took away a hundred of those who 
could travel. You can easily guess that I was glad to be one 
of the number. We got started about nine o'clock and took 
the same road that the army used in their advance from this 
place, with the exception of not turning out of the road at 



♦ Levi CoIUns, Company I. Killed at Antietam, September 17th, 1862. 
Corporal John C. Adair, Company I. Killed at Antietam, September 17th. 
James Murphy, Private, Company I. Killed at Antietam. 

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THE LONG ROLL 

Thurness Gap in South Mountain, having no Rebels to 
encounter there. The view from this Pass is grand, including 
the whole valley to the Catoctin Range, with Middletown in 
the center of the landscape. But it can not compare with the 
same view we had from nearly the same elevation and position 
at the hour of sunset on the Seventeenth, when this magnificent 
valley, then teeming with a mass of armed men, was covered 
with that glorious spread of mingling colors of crimson and gold, 
with the different hues of varying Nature in Autumn, seeking 
an occasional snatch of admiration from the thousands who 
were engaged in bloody strife. 

How ditlercnt now is this peaceful valley grown in the short 
interval of time. And how sad. The thunder-clap of war has 
now rolled to the distance, leaving Nature slowly to recover 
from the paralyzation of its recent shock. It were not, perhaps, 
a smaller contrast, to note the difference in my condition, hopes 
and prospects now, with two weeks ago. I was then hastening 
over this same road with thousands and thousands of others. 
Artillery was shaking this mountain gorge and filling its huge 
dents with their powerful vibrations. I was full of life and 
vigor, and yet wondering if my fate might not be to have my 
bones become a part of the dust of the mountain. I was con- 
scious that our forces would brave many a desperate battle 
before they would abandon the soil of Maryland, but I placed 
confidence in McClellan, and was eager to do my best in any 
contest that was impending, in the hope that we might gain an 
end to this unnatural and therefore more furious strife. I was 
fully determined to do my duty to the letter, however hard that 
might be, that I might be able to acquit myself of reproach in 
case of disaster, which I prayed would not visit our arms. Now 
the (.ampaign is ended. I had fondly hoped that I might so 
term the war. Maryland is free from the tread of Rebel hosts^ 
and the Nation rejoices in a great victory, as it mourns over 
the countless dead. I am returning with many others, helpless, 
to the little city of Frederick, seeking tenderness and care . The 
same city we left long before daylight two weeks ago, with 
musket in hand, hastening to the scene of action then in progress 

201 



THE LONG ROLL 

in the mountains, we will enter to-night, weary, sick and hope- 
less, praying but for rest and the return of strength. 

September 30th. 
It was after nine o'clock last night before we entered the 
city, and after the longest half hour I have ever experienced, 
we were put into a hospital, formerly a Presbyterian church. 
I have learned that the Doctor in charge bears the cognomen 
" Cornish." He is a gentleman '^of the old school apparently, 
and I have already experienced kindness from him. He 
wakened me up last night about twelve o'clock from the soundest 
sleep I have had since I was shot, and washed and dressed the 
wound. I showed my appreciation of the act, by resuming 
my interrupted slumbers, with greater vigor than ever. 




202 



CHAPTER XVII 

Frederick City Hospital 

October 2d. 

I AM still in Frederick City experiencing kind attention 
from its people. Expect to go to Washington, Baltimore 

or l'liil;i(leli)lii;i almost any day, but I don't think I care 
very mucii about going. 

This morning, in a fit of sentiment, I composed a few verses 
entitled *' Lines to a Lady in Frederick." The object of this 
" Will-be " famous lyric attracted my attention passing the 
Church-yard gate, while I was smoking my pipe in a dreamy 
reverie. I did not know her name, but have since learned that 
it is '* Hat tie Wilson." She is very much like a lady with whom 
I was foolish enough to fall in love, in regular school-boy style, 
about three years ago, out in the Western wilds, and probably 
that is the reason I was struck with that peculiar style of femi- 
nine loveliness in Miss Wilson which I have always admired. 

October 4th. 
Abraham Lincoln pa.s.sed through the city to-day on his 
return from the review of the army on the upper Potomac. 
He paid the honor of a visit to a certain General who was 
wounded at Antietam and is stopping opposite here, and to 
the cnnvd which collected around the door and cheered him, 
he made a speech of his usual brevity. He was then assisted 
into an unpretentious one-horse buggy by a field officer who 
accompanied him. They pas.sed the hospital, and I had an 
excellent view of the features of the President. He looked more 
worn than when I saw him last, and the heavy load he is obliged 
to carry, amply accounts for that. My present condition is 
not overly pleasant, but by far better than is his. 

October 9th. 

My wound is getting along beautifully, and in about six 

weeks I will be as well as ever again. I have resigned myself 

to tiuit long stay in this city. Still no letters from home. They 

must have been written and are somewhere between here and 

203 



THE LONG ROLL 

home, and I feel badly not to have them. But I am not quite 
miserable, for my pencil has been as busy as a bee ever since 
I got settled. I completed a large and very difficult picture 
to-day, and am pretty well satisfied with it. It is an attempt 
at representing an interior view of this hospital. Doctor 
Cornish thinks it is fine and wants me to make him one. 
I do not like to undertake it just now, for I am laboring under 
some difficulties in following the footprints of Art, having 
nothing better than the pencil with which I write these notes, 
for both outline and finish. If I could raise the " Spons," even 
a small amount would remedy the trouble. I could then use 
a pen and pass away some time by resuming my Journal, which 
is still in Washington. I am a little afraid that the much valued 
article will not turn up very soon, if at all. This Journal of 
mine was the most valuable thing in my knapsack, and I would 
hate most awfully to lose it. But I suppose I must bear up 
against the loss of All my valuable Property, with the fortitude 
of a soldier. I am well contented to stay in this city, and I 
don't think we could be better off anywhere else. But, look 
here, I don't want you to think that Miss Wilson, the angel in 
petticoats, has anything to do with this conviction. My fancy 
departed from that quarter almost as soon as it arrived. My 
reconnaissance in that direction, without getting near enough 
to exchange words, much less to storm the fort, has proven that 
she is not only proud, though unassuming, but that she is wise 
enough to keep a corporal's guard of a Governess to look after 
her. It is easy enough for me to see that she is not the " Gal 

for me " for I know d Oh — well that she would stick up 

her nose, and what a pretty nose it is, in holy horror at any one 
less than a Captain. She would like a Major, smile at a Lieu- 
tenant and would adore a Colonel. Accordingly, I w ill try and 
content myself with pictures, poverty and memory, and be 
just as happy as though nothing in the shape of Venus had 
come nearer to knocking my heart out, than did any of Jack- 
son's famous railroad iron to my silly brains. 



204 



THE LONG ROLL 

October 12th. 
One of the poor boys in the hospital went to his " long 
Home " this morning. His young wife was here and saw him 
die. They had been married only a week before his enlistment. 

Sunday Morning, October 26th. 

Two weeks have glided by and we have Sunday morning 
again. The hospital is being prepared for our usual visitors 
who generally accompany the minister. I presume the services 
will be performed by the Reverend Doctor Diehl, who has 
preached for us on several occasions. He is Pastor of the Dutch 
Reformed Chunh here in Frederick. He came in the other 
day and asked for " Johnson from Minnesota." I was getting 
my wound dressed, and though I heard him speak, I did not 
realize that he meant me, but I was the only Johnson in the 
establishment, and was from Minnesota, so I finally answered. 
He gave me a letter from Pastor Passevant and told me he 
would come again in the afternoon and bring me some papers. 
This he did and I had a nice chat with him. He expressed 
some surprise at finding me a member of a New York Regiment. 
I very gladly accepted an invitation to his home, but I am not 
sure that I can go. 

My pencil has made me quite famous. Doctor Cornish is 
sure to bring every lady visitor who happens in, over here to 
see my pictures, and I told him the other day that I was quite 
poi)ular enough. Mrs. INIorgan has intimated that she would 
hke something in my line in memory of the Regiment, and 
Mrs. WiLson, the Mother of the Other Wilson, has sent the 
same request through three different channels. I have made 
two copies of the hospital picture and Doctor Cornish sent one 
to his wife and now he wants me to get up something nice for 
his little girl, and I don't know what to do for time to spare 
for writing. I received my Journal some time ago with my 
knapsack. Our suits came, too, and of course, Hawkins' " Zou- 
Zous " arc now " King Pins " of the town. But I must stop, 
for the people are beginning to come, and it is time for service. 

205 



THE LONG ROM 

Contalf^^cni Camp, Mrt;rin{a, 
November 80th. 

Mj* nice time in that darling little city of Frederick is o\*er, 
Mj* drawing. uv\* writing, my che^s playing and nv.v reading 
are all of the pa.<t. This Camp is a miserable hole to say the 
leai^t, and I don't intend to describe it. for m\- pen n\ight Sivj* 
tov-> much, and 1 prefer to tell of the last days 1 spent in Freil- 
erick. 

Do«.'tor Cornish was orviert\i to his Regiment about a \\ tvk 
before I left. I gave him a little picture for his daughter. He 
showevl me a photograph of Mrs. Cornish and the little girl, 
iuid also read me a part of a letter in answer to his with the 
h<.-»spital picture. ^Ir. Johnson was much honortxl by Mrs. 
Cornish's i.\nnpliments as to its being a very goixl picture. 
She s;\id she askt\l the little girl where " Papa " was and slie 
jKiintcvi to him as reprt\<eutet.i in the forcgn.">und. 1 could not 
do any better for Mrs. Morgan than to give her a pretty giXHi 
landscape, a Swis^; scvne. Mrs. Wilson was duly presented 
with a portrait of Colonel Hawkins, and a message written on 
the back of it was intendeti. of course, eventually to meet the 
eyes of *' Hattie" and the other little curly-headevl witch. Ser- 
geant Loades. my chess opponent, got his portrait taken, which 
I kept with his autograph, and gave him a sketch of the Antie- 
tam Bridge, near which he was woundet.1 when helping to take it. 
And then, when I had tinisluxi reading *' Luck of L;uiysmcade," 
I was ready to go anywhere they wantet.1 to send me. 

C^i the TAventy-sixth of November, I bade farewell to 
Frederick and to good times, arriving in Washington about 
eleven the Si\me night. The following day was Thanksgiving 
Day. and I spent it in going about the city. I made it mj' 
business to see as many of the public buildings as I could. Of 
these, the Capitol, of course, is the tirst to attract the attention 
of a stranger, from its stupendous size and the lofty, and still 
unfinislied. dome which crowns it. I saw Crawfonl's gig:intic 
statue in bronze, of ** Liberty ** mount cvi on a temjxirary 
pedestal, on the Capitol grounds, and it is intended to crown 
the whole mass of beautiful marble beneath, now so near com- 



THE LONG ROLL 

plctif)n. Even now, when ready hands are near, ah, ho near, 
U) ])\i\\ down this slruclure whieli has taken years and tfie hest 
me<hani(al skill of all nations to f>uild, the workmen are busy 
with stjiian-, rule and chisel, seeniinj^ly loath to leave the ^reat 
work of tlu'ir hands, while events urc. erowdin^ fast on time 
to d<'eide either the d«vst riieti(jn of this magnificent [)ile, or its 
crowning witli greater glory. They are preparing tlie dome 
for the re<<'j*fion of " I.ihcrty." \Vh<'n she is th<*n;, wh(;re 
Crawford d«'sign<'d her to Ix*, then may slie well look around her 
from tlie lofty stand, with that pleased and wonderstruek 
admiration, which the artist's g<,'nius has fixed so liappily on 
her face. And You, who revel in tliese unfinished halls; You, 
who are the chosen representatives of tin; mightiest jx^ople of 
tln' glohe ; are you conscious that th<; time you waste is far 
more precious than jewels or wealth? Kememher, that it is 
in your power t(j see that this statue is i>laced to r-rown this 
CTistly mass, and awful will he the c<jnserpjences f(jrever in your 
hearts, if, by faction hatred or love of gain, you allow th(;se 
prieele.ss moments to slij) away for naught, leaving tliis grand 
pile uncrowned, and its pillars to be crushed by the fiend we 
now hear in the distance. 

Such thoughts as these filled my mind as I stood gazing 
in a sa<l reverie from the polislied walls of tlie (Japitol, at the 
busy workmen arounrl the statue in the garden, and it was not 
without a feeling oi i>ain that 1 turned to go away, for I knew 
I might never see this work oi art in its destined place. And 
if I did, would I behold it with that i>ride which I am wont to 
feel in our great republican institutions, or with a .sense of 
mortification at the fickleness of the people and our rulers? 

I was in Washington two days and then toyk the boat for 
Alexandria. Was given quarters in this camf), that is, if a worn- 
out tent, without a stove, can be called quarters. Fortunately 
Huss and Hrannin were with me. so I did not have to go in a 
strange mess. Well, what more have I to say? We will have 
to stay in this hole, till our Colonel or Corps-General sends 
for us. 

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THE LONG ROLL 

New Year's Eve., 1862. 

It is rather a long skip to make, from November Thirtieth 
to New Year's Eve, but my Ufe has been so uniformly dull 
that I have not thought it worth while to spoil paper with the 
narration of any of the sickening events. Whenever I took 
pen in hand, the splendid marble palaces over the river, which 
glisten in the sun, would come between my eyes and the paper, 
and taunt me with their magnificence and invariably cause 
me to throw away the pen in pure disgust at this miserable 
place. I should mention, however, that the Camp was moved 
to the vicinity of Fort Barnard, in a snug valley, which pos- 
sesses two advantages over the other place, protection from 
wind and the nearness to fire-wood. I did not deem the event 
important enough to remember the date. Some very patriotic 
ladies attempted to give us a kind of a Christmas dinner a 
week ago, but the result was a failure and it ended in a row. 
So much for Christmas. Now for New Year's. I do not know 
whether to laugh or to grumble at my present feelings. That I 
am not happy, you can well see, but let us make the best of it 
and hope for a happier New Year's Eve when the year now so 
near us is old. About dusk, the convalescents commenced 
firing the old year out, and things looked gay for a little while, 
until some miserable fools began to use balls. It was fine fun 
for those who were shooting, but quite different for the three 
or four men who were hit. The firing has ceased, of course. 
I have had one luxury for which I am thankful and that is a 
half-pipeful of tobacco, which I have just finished smoking. 
As I write, our Mess is engaged in discussing certain points 
relating to the Antietam fight, and telling their respective 
adventures on that terrible field. 

And for our Country, the new Calendar of Father Time's 
looks gloomy enough. My earnest prayers are that the Almighty 
God will look down upon us and change the state of our affairs 
soon, as He must do if in His goodness He thinks our insti- 
tutions worth saving from utter ruin. I hope Sixty-three will 
end in a far happier evening for our whole Country as well as 
for myself, and that can not be unless this strife is ended in 
208 



THE LONG ROLL 

a perfect reunion. With these prayers, do I take leave of this 
old \ear and meet the coining of Sixty-three, almost at our 
door I still continue to hope, almost against hope, that all 
will be well in the end. 




209 



CHAPTER XVIII 

Newport News Again 

February 24th. 

HOW strange that I should be destined to see the last days 
of the service in the same place where I served my 
apprenticeship ! After so many curious windings on 
the sea coast and in the interior of our country, where we have 
traveled, tramped and fought, to be again at Newport News 
where we had our first lessons in Camp life, nearly two years 
ago. Of course, I can not with certainty say that we will be 
here for the remainder of our time, but I am repeating the 
assertion of our officers, and though extraordinary events may 
bring us again within the music of bullets, they think it quite 
improbable. We are detailed at this Post as Provost-Guard 
and that is sufficient for the present. I will now go back to 
where I left you, in the Camp of Distribution, near Alexandria. 

On January Twenty-ninth I was surprised to see Sergeant 
Loades of the Second Maryland, whom you will recollect I 
left in Frederick City. He was bound for his Regiment, and 
was stopped as I was, in that miserable abode of miserable 
beings. I made him spend the evening in my tent, and a long, 
pleasant chat did we have about old times in Frederick, where, 
if I had not been a fool, I might have staid till now, and have 
received as many thanks for it. I can not say that he told me 
anything worth noting here, of the events in that ever-to-be- 
remembered city, although what he had to say was interesting 
enough to me. 

Loades and I were together most of the time for the rest of 
our stay. It was our wish that we might soon get to our Regi- 
ments, for to neither of us did Camp Distribution offer any 
enticements, and we therefore hailed the call for one corps, 
on the evening of the First of February, with unmixed satis- 
faction. 

I was not disappointed this time, and I went through the 
endless roll-calls and " waitings " with deserved patience. We 
got down to Alexandria about eleven in the morning of the 
210 



THE LONG ROLL 

Second, and there had to go through another long roll-call, 
finally going aboard the Steamer " Portsmouth," which started 
immediately for Accjuia Creek. Though the weather was rather 
cold, it was clear and fine, and I took pleasure in noting the 
scenes of interest along the noble Potomac. The last time I 
made the trip I was sound asleep, and even if I had not been 
in a state of oblivion, it was too dark for me to have seen much 
of anything. So that it was all as new to me as if it were my 
first visit. I noted Fort Washington on the Maryland side, 
and further down, saw for tlie first time the wild and neglected 
banks of the Mount Vernon property. I was in hopes of catch- 
ing a glimpse of the Washington mansion, but in this I was 
disappointed, for the neglected state of the grounds shut out 
every vestige of a building. But still it was no small satisfaction 
to have even this view of the home of the greatest of chiefs and 
statesmen that this now unhappy country has ever had. I 
can not say that the Potomac has any extraordinary attractions 
in the way of scenery, but it has several good qualities to atone 
for the fault, the clearness of the water, and the cultivated 
banks, generally graced by the picturesque mansions of some 
wealthy, and often, famous men. The sun went down in 
a magnificent halo of glory, as we reached Acquia Creek, 
where we landed and marched up to a Soldier's Retreat, 
where we got a kind of supper and bunks for the night. I went 
into partnership with a Sergeant of the Twentieth Massachu- 
setts, and as he had three blankets and I had two, we made out 
to spend a most comfortable night, though the wind was howling 
in a manner calculated to make us shiver, while we thanked 
God that we were not without a shelter. By morning the 
ground was frozen hard as a rock, and with the piercing wind 
there was a scattering of frozen snow. After breakfast, we 
were marched aboard the cattle cars, there being no others 
on this railroad, and were soon rattling away toward Fredericks- 
burg, where, having safely crossed the Potomac Creek Bridge, 
we arrived about noon. But how changed did I find this region 
from what it was last Summer ! The station was where it used 
to be, but everything else had suffered a wonderful change. Our 

211 



THE LONG ROLL 

old camp ground on the height between the station and the 
City of Ruins, I found to be the last resting place for a large 
number of horses ; and where the great army was encamped, 
I could hardly imagine, for where we formerly saw camps, 
battery buildings and trees, was now a deserted and apparently 
endless sea of mud. 

As soon as we got out of the cars and away from the number- 
less wagons crowded around the station, we were, much against 
our wills, given in charge of the Provost Marshal, and then 
we had more long marches and tedious red-tape to endure. 
It took until late in the afternoon, when, tired, almost frozen, 
and much disgusted with the endless and useless ceremonies, 
we were conducted to our Regiments. I found " Ours " quar- 
tered on a side hill directly in the rear of the brick building 
which was Burnside's headquarters during the Battle of Fred- 
ericksburg. 

The first man of my acquaintance I met was Corporal 
Warring, who was not long in extending his hand for a friendly 
grip which speaks so plainly to the heart. He went with me 
to quarters which I found more comfortable with the shelter 
tents, than I had dared to hope. Most of the boys have dug 
excavations under their tents, and with the assistance of logs, 
have a kind of house, half underground, and with fire-places, 
the comfort of which could not be judged by outward appear- 
ance. It was my wish to go into a Mess with Warring, but I 
found that I could not be accommodated, so I put up in a tent 
with John Work and James Schultz. Having settled this matter 
to my satisfaction and theirs, I made a few calls. I had a long 
chat with Lieutenant Flemming, who was in command, Captain 
Leahy being on furlough, in New York. 

" Verily things have changed since Johnny died," was my 
soliloquy, as I walked through the Company quarters. So 
many new faces met my eyes wherever I turned, and I found 
that I did not know one-half my own Company. We have 
hardly two hundred of our old members left, and still we muster 
six hundred fifty muskets, so that the majority of the Regiment 
is composed of recruits. I got into one Mess in my rounds, 
212 



THE LONG ROLL 

made up of old members, four of whom were of that gay, old 
Mess oil Roanoke Island, Thain, Keswine, Krohr and Turner. 
With them were three more, Luckmier, Myers and Wattcrson. 
The two first and the three latter ones are picked equals in 
striking terror to Sutlers and non-combatants. You will not 
be astonished then, when I tell you that this Mess, joined 
together as they are by the cohesive power of public plunder, 
lives well. I had no sooner taken a seat, when they asked me 
to have something to eat. Expecting a piece of " Salt Horse " 
or a bit of hard tack, I said " Yes " for politeness, and the 
shock my system suffered when a pickled " pig's foot " met 
my wondering and watering eyes, can be imagined but not 
described. But it was not a circumstance to the way my mouth 
watered in devouring the precious extremity of the porker. 
And then, after the pork packing was finished, they offered 
me a cigar. IVIy pent-up feelings could not longer be controlled, 
and bursting through the restraint of self-conmiand, I voiced 
my appreciation with the huskiness of deep emotion. Here 
was I, from the Capital, where I had not always the luxury of 
a pipe of tobacco at my disposal, in the wilderness \shere I 
expected to starve. Pig's Feet ! Cakes ! Butter ! and then, 
a Cigar ! It quite unmanned me. 

Johnny Luckmier has a pretty mouth, and all that mars 
its loveliness is that it opens like a carpet bag. Johnny Luck- 
mier has also a pretty voice, but it has one fault, hoarseness 
from continual use, as he only rests it when asleep. Johnny 
Luckmier occupies the middle of the tent, and is called " The 
Blockade." It is his duty to keep the boarders in their respect- 
ive ends of the building; those on the right being " Dump- 
lings " and the rest " Puddings." To keep them apart, it was 
found necessary to em[)loy Johnny's endless flow of language, 
and the way he performed his duty was not unlike the thunder- 
ing of some mighty three-decker in point of noise, though hardly 
to be com[)ared to it in the musical sense. But enough. If 
Johnny should ever get hold of this, there would be no help 
for me. You can inuigine what a horrible fate would be mine, 
for the most terrible of all things is to be talked to death. 

213 



THE LONG ROLL 

To return to myself. I told you that I had not heard from 
Hudson City for a long time. One of the letters sent to my 
sister from Convalescent Camp never got to her. I found 
Warring had a couple of letters for me, and from them I learned 
that Charlotte and " Mother " had suflFered much anxiety on 
my account. I also received a letter from my Uncle John in 
Minnesota, telling me of the arrival of a little boy cousin into 
this wicked world of ours. 

The next two days I spent in answering letters and fixing 
up my tent, and as I was not overly anxious to do duty, I 
concluded to wait till a musket was handed to me. This was 
done on the Sixth, when the whole Corps got marching orders. 
Some thought that Burnside was going to South Carolina and 
that he would take us with him. Others ordered us to re-enforce 
Corcoran on the Black Water, and still others were equally 
confident that a movement on the Peninsula was in progress, 
and stationed us at Yorktown. But as is always the case, no 
one knew for a certainty. On one point, however, we were 
unanimous, for wherever you went, the word was passed, 
" Anywhere out of the Army of the Potomac." 

On the morning of the Seventh, we had Reveille about three 
o'clock, which was entirely useless, for we did not get aboard 
the cars till about noon, when for the second time, I left Fred- 
ericksburg with my Regiment. I was put on the top of the 
cars this time, but fortunately it was not cold, so I had a novel 
ride without suffering any inconvenience worth mentioning. 

At the dock we met Captain Leahy, who was rather surprised 
to see us. He had been home on furlough, and was nice as a 
mince pie. He recognized me and offered his hand with con- 
gratulations. We were put on the Transport "Robert Morris," 
and another the name of which I did not know, and it was not 
long after dark, when we started down the Potomac. Had a 
pretty good sleep and wakened to find the sun smiling on us 
and our steamer leaving Point Lookout fast behind us. This 
was the anniversary of the Battle of Roanoke Island.* 

* February Eighth. And this was to be the day, in the year of our Lord, Eighteen Hundred 
Ninety-six, when the Zouave was to go to his "last, long sleep." 

214 



THE LONG ROLL 

After a fine sail, darkness closed around us, leaving us still 
on the gently swelling bosom of the Chesapeake, and the next 
morning we were at anchor off Fortress Monroe. Warring told 
me that the boat got aground during the night, but I knew 
nothing outside of the Land of Dreams. 

Was it strange that the all-engrossing subject of specu- 
lation should be "our destination.'' " Norfolk, Yorktown, up 
the River, down the Coast, where would the rudder guide us, 
when the " seemingly-never-to-arrive " orders should come? 
Who could think that our Regiment would for the third time 
be sent to Newport News ? I am willing to wager that no one 
for a moment entertained the idea as one likely to be put into 
execution. But here we are. 

Wednesday, March 4th. 

The other day, while I was walking my post on General 
Getty's quarters, a member of the Fifty-first Regiment came 
down to our guard for the purpose of seeing one Freed, who 
is an enthusiast in the game of Baseball, to make arrangements 
with him for a challenge from our Regiment. Mind you, to 
make arrangements for a challenge. It was this man's business 
to let our chib know that the Fifty-first was anxious to play a 
match, but for some reason, wanted the challenge to come from 
us. Frank Hughson, President of the Hawkins Zouaves Base- 
ball Club, lost no time in calling the members together and in 
actordance with their wishes, he wrote and sent the challenge, 
and immediately proceeded to the necessary selection of a 
*' Nine." And they are now straining every nerve to beat the 
Fifty-first in this exciting field sport, in the presence of a vast 
number from both Regiments. Colonel Hawkins has taken 
a bet offered by Major Jardine that the Fifty-first will beat us. 
I was out there about a half hour ago, and it looked unfavorable 
for us, but since, we have gotten our innings and made fourteen 
runs. Our boys are now in and the game is in the third inning. 
I guess I will go out and see how things are going. 

Just returned from the field. The game is now in the sixth 
inning and we are six ahead, eighteen to twenty-four. Our side 
" skunked " the Fifty-first in this inning, and have now the 

215 



THE LONG ROLL 

bat. This makes us even on " skunks," as they got one early 
in the game. Pity it is so cold. It is now two o'clock. 

The match is played and Major Jardine lost his bet. How 
Colonel Hawkins will grin when the Major forks over ! I thirik 
T see him. But it was a most interesting game. " Skunks " 
were even, and at the end of the ninth inning the game stood 
" thirty-one to thirty-four," " Ours " beating by three runs. 
This is the first victory of the Zouave Club, and is highly grati- 
fying, since the Fifty -first has never looked upon us with any 
favor since the events of February Eighth. It is likely that 
this will not be the last game which will be played between these 
teams, and I hope our " Nine " will not neglect to practise, 
for this is the first game they have had since we were on Roa- 
noke Island. I forgot to mention that we got the better of 
our opponents by one home run. 

March 5th. 

For the past few days I have been much interested in the 
perusal of one of Bulwer Lytton's strangest of strange stories, 
" Zanoni." I finished it this morning and I must confess that 
the text on the title page will express all the understanding I 
have of this queer, but fascinating tale — " In short, I could 
make neither head nor tail on 't." 

As for any moral that I can pick out of it, there is none. I 
can not help contrast the marked difference between the angels 
of Faith, Truth, Fearlessness and Courage and the darker ones 
of Cowardice, Passion and Despair. Although it may be that 
I can not comprehend all that this volume unfolds, for it is as 
mysterious as is any subject treating of alchemic philosophy, 
I am obliged to the author for engrossing my whole mind in 
his subject, which few books that I get hold of now, can do. 

Sunday, March 8th. 
I do not feel very well to-day. Have had a headache and 
several minor complaints of no importance, though I am made 
quite miserable by them. But I can not resist the temptation 
of telling about the second match played yesterday by our 
second " Nine " and the Fifty-first. This was not as exciting 
216 



THE LONG ROLL 

as the first, for it was too one-sided, our boys not giving them 
a " living show " to win, as you can easily see by looking at 
the score. There were seventy-seven runs in all, our boys mak- 
ing fifty-eight. If this does not make the Fifty -first sick of 
our playing, I shall be compelled to think they are afflicted 
with the terrible mania of " Baseball on the Brain." This 
disease, which has lately spread its awful, devastating influence, 
not only through our Regiment, but the whole corps, first 
originated, I believe, in the brain of poor Freed. How I pity 
him ! He is beside me now, asleep, and I will wager the first 
silver quarter I see, that his brain is filled with visions of huge 
bats and balls, bases and home plates, and score books filled 
to a page with games, glorious games all won by him, poor 
soul — and poor player, let me add. Now, you may imagine 
that I am not dealing fairly with him in thus talking behind 
his back, and I must tell you my object. After the first match 
was played, he was perfectly insane for nearly two days, and 
he was so anxious to find out what I had to say in my Journal, 
that he broke loose from all restraint of good breeding, and read 
it without leave from me, and very likely he will do so again, 
and in that case — You understand? 

Monday, March 9th. 
A Corporal was reduced to the ranks yesterday on Dress 
Parade, for being inebriated Saturday and missing the usual 
Parade. So the order read, but that order, I am forced to think, 
told a falsehood. Had it possessed any regard for truth, it 
would have stated that the Corporal was reduced to the ranks 
and fined sbc dollars, for incompetency — to hold his position — 
you expect me to say. No, even if that were the case, it would 
not make the diflFerence. What I would say, if you will not 
interrupt. *' reduced for incompetency to toady for his precious 
position." Let me explain. A man must creep and fawn, 
be a pattern of a humble dog, or be upheld by some influence 
superior to a Captain, to hold a position as Corporal or Sergeant 
in this Company, at least. Thank Heaven, my friend is not 
built that way, and he stands higher in my estimation than 

217 



THE LONG ROLL 

when he wore the glorious stripes. It is to be lamented, of 
course, that he did not have the Colonel or the Major to keep 
him in the position, in which case he, like Corporal Davis, 
could hold Corporalship without the painful necessity of playing 
dog. But he had no influential friends in the Regiment, so he has 
been elevated to a High Private, the safest position a man can 
hold, for he certainly can not be put down any lower than that. 
In this precious Company, there are sixteen warders who 
now hold and always have held undisputed sway over both 
Captains and Lieutenants, and though Captain Leahy is a man 
I respect, for he is brave, and that covers many faults, he is no 

judge of human nature, and he deems that what Sergeant P 

says is gospel, for he can not penetrate his real character. For 

were it known, P is a living representative of the family that 

wears a Lion's skin. After the Battle of Camden, three Cor- 
porals were appointed, promoted for " Bravery on the Battle- 
field." Bravery on the Battlefield ! One was slightly wounded, 
another was behind a chimney when the fight was on, and the 
third was not with the expedition at all. They all belonged to 
the Sixteenth Ward. Were it necessary to proceed further, 
I could tell you that the precious Corporal who was behind the 
chimney at Camden, was one of those who kept safely out of 
the way at Antietam, and was very ready to carry me to the 
hospital. How sweet he was then ! And look at him now ! I 
will not pursue this hateful subject, it makes me feel wicked. 

March 14th. 
Yesterday, our Regiment got marching orders to leave 
when the Third Division is gone, and it is embarking as fast 
as it can. So you see I may yet have some transactions with 
Powder, Ball and Company, if my time is up in forty days. 
It is unnecessary to say that this order was very unexpected, 
and still it is not believed to be in earnest. However, I would 
not be at all surprised to find myself in Suffolk with Corcoran's 
Legion, whom it is rumored Lee is attacking with overwhelming 
force. It appears that Colonel Hawkins is not overly willing 
to go as Commander of the First Brigade, Third Division, 
218 



THE LONG ROLL 

unless we go as First Regiment of that Brigade, and that is 
why we are ordered to bring up the rear of the Division. And 
now Major Jardine is Provost Marshal for the Corps, and he 
is doing his best to keep us here in spite of the Colonel. Colonel 
Hawkins is probably doing his very best for us, and I begin 
to know that I can not with reason expect him to make confi- 
dants of us all. One thing is certain, we are going with the 
Division, for the Fifty-first relieved us from Provost duty this 
morning. ^ March 17th. 

" Patrick's Day " it is " in the morning." The day of the 
shamrock and countless broken heads has dawned upon us 
here at Newport News. I have often wished for the oppor- 
tunity to ask the noble Saint just why it is necessary to com- 
memorate his birthday by wearing the green sprig and taking 
the initiatory steps to the breaking of ever so many heads with 
ever so many wild whoops and capers, only appreciated by the 
fiery Sons of the Green Lsle. But I do not know that I have 
any more right to ask it than have the Emerald Islanders to 
respond with the query as to why we waste so much powder 
and make so much racket on the Fourth of July, and I fear the 
retort will make me own up to the truth of my case, which is 
that my pen asked the question not so much for the desired 
information, as to have something to say. I see there are 
already some few Shamrocks showing themselves on the red 
caps of our boys. 

But I will take leave of Patrick and talk of something else. 
Let it be Chess. Some time ago, I designed a set of wooden 
Chessmen, which Sergeant Pout proposed to cut out for Cor- 
poral Gough. They are done and Gough and I have already 
had a fine game. Sergeant Loades, with whom I used to play 
in Frederick City, had one game with me and beat me too 
awfully. But Loades plays a little above the common run, 
so I was not much mortified. Corporal Gough plays more for 
amusement and instruction, and I beat him generally.* 

• .\ (luplicatr »rt of this design was carved by the Zouave and is still in bis War Treasure 
Box, (orminK a sinijular contrast to the carved ivory Chessmen of a pleasanter day. And could 
they l)Ut talk, would we not turn with awakened interest to these war-scarred V'eterans, who 
have beard the " Long Roll " and know the pity of it all 1 

219 



THE LONG ROLL 

March 19th, 
We are still here and as our Division is gone two days since, 
it seems probable that we wiU not be disturbed for some time^ 
if at all, before we make the final move for home. We had 
marching orders the other day, but they were countermanded. 
Why we should be favored above the other troops here, is hard 
for me to imagine, but I suspect the Colonel has used his influ- 
ence as he has always done where our interests were concerned. 
He has probably shown General Dix the poUcy of sparing us 
now, seeing our time is so nearly out, for by so doing, they will 
undoubtedly secure many volunteers, which they might not 
get, were they to put us through a course of sprouts, before the 
Fourth of May.* Meanwhile, the Fifty -first is doing Provost 
Duty, while we are in our bunks, looking at them. 

We pass our days rapidly and pleasantly, at least I do. 
Warring and I make it a point to exchange visits with Loades 
every other day. Yesterday Loades expected to be transported 
to Suffolk, but the order was countermanded half an hour after 
it was given, and he sent me a note to that effect. Of course, 
Warring and I must spend the evening with him, for it might 
be the last one that could be spared. So up we went, and noth- 
ing would do, but that we must take supper. We had already 
eaten what we called supper, and were prepared to resist any 
attack that might be made on our appetites, but we had no 
idea that the force arrayed against us would be Beefsteak. 
We surrendered almost immediately and submitted ourselves 
to be taken to the kitchen tent. Having disposed of as much 
as decency and our stomachs — and how they ached — would 
allow, we went back to quarters, the Adjutant's tent, for be 
it known Loades is Sergeant-Major now, and Whist was the 
order of the evening. On a certain previous night, Loades and 
I were beaten badly at Euchre by Warring and Lieutenant Ball 
of the Second, and now these two gentlemen were anxious to 
repeat the process at Whist. Well, they did beat us the first 



* It is quite consistent with the character of the Zouave that he never, in after life, mentioned 
any inclination or possibility of re-enlistment. Trouble with the hip wound and a long fight with 
inflammatory rheumatism incapacitated him for further service. 

220 



THE LONG ROLL 

game and the last, but in the interval we won six games through 
good luck on my part and good playing on my partner's, all in 
spite of the many and characteristic efforts of our opponents 
to change the run of luck. 

The First Division is decamping to-day for some unknown 
destination and it is probable that the Second is only waiting 
for the First. I took a long walk up to the right of the camp, 
tliis morning, to see what was going on, and unintentionally I 
stumbled into the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts in the First 
Division, formerly stationed on the Rip Raps, who treated us 
so well nearly two years ago. The recognition of Sergeant Frost 
and myself was nuitual and a long talk of old times was the 
natural consequence. The Sergeant was sure Lieutenant Riply 
would be pleased to see me and went to find him. He was the 
same fine and perfect gentleman, and when I left, my " I will 
always remember you with pleasure," came from the very 
bottom of my heart. 

To-day is the Nineteenth of March, and it seems the decay- 
ing Winter has chosen it to make his " flurry in," as the Whalers 
woultl say. Summer in its infancy is struggling for mastery 
over the old and infirm Winter. Spring commenced this morn- 
ing, apparently thinking nothing would disturb her projected 
si)rinkling of the earth with the gentle dews. Old King Winter, 
who can not yet be far away on his journey hence, looked back, 
and perceiving with jealous wrath the doings of his successor, 
still so young and feeble, roused up the remainder of his depart- 
ing strength and hurled back a gust of piercing North Wind, 
which in accordance with orders from his terrible Master, soon 
created sad havoc among the tender breezes of Spring, and froze 
the tears, with which she was trying in her gentle way to awaken 
slumbering Nature from her long and silent stupor, into hard 
and biting icicles. Gentle Spring, murmuring something quite 
inaudibly, retired rather than submit to the fierce insults of 
this bluff old King. But now, she is melting the icy particles 
which Old Boreas is hurling down upon us in pure spite, into 
soft and delicate water, and with the aid of the sun she will 
reanimate the tender shoots still safe under the surface pre- 

221 



THE LONG ROLL 

paring to spring into life and beauty. Thus, dear Spring, are 
the means employed against you in wrath and anger, made to 
serve your own good purpose. But, Pen of mine, I am tired, 
and we will leave Summer and Winter to quarrel as they please, 
on the virgin soil of this fair and beautiful country. 

March 21st. 

But in spite of all her efforts. Spring has been completely 
hidden beneath a covering of at least six inches of snow. All 
day yesterday, it snowed and blowed, and as the day progressed 
the wind grew fiercer, and the keen blasts were felt through 
any amount of clothing, and the Twentieth of March looked 
and felt like the Twentieth of January in Minnesota. It is true 
this is the equinoctial storm, but I had no idea that these con- 
sequences of the sun's passage across the line would be felt 
more here than in my Northern home, and I have come to the 
conclusion that this freak of the season is something very 
uncommon for even this strange cHmate. 

March 24th. 

Was on guard yesterday, and for once I had the good fortune 
to be " drawn in " at night and I had a comfortable night's 
sleep. My old Messmate, Brannen, joined his Regiment 
yesterday, and I had a long talk with him before I went on 
guard. 

I must tell you something about my doings last Sunday, 
for certainly that eventful day in my soldier history must not 
be lost to the world. I was invited by my friend Frank Hugh- 
son, who is now forage master of this Post, to come down Sunday 
and partake of a noon-day meal that he was getting up with the 
assistance of a Baltimore Sutler. Now I expected something 
unusual when a Sutler had his hands in the pie, but I was not 
prepared for the extraordinary Bill of Fare that met my eyes. 
The recollection of that sumptuous table haunts me even now, 
and confuses my poor pen. As nearly as I can remember I 
will give the Menu, though I am afraid that I may be commit- 
ting murder and will be tried by a Drumhead Court Martial 
222 



THE LONG ROLL 

accordingly, if any one in the service should accidentally read 
this and die in consequence; and I therefore piously beg all 
soldiers who may read this far, to stop, not so much for their 
life as to save me from Court Martial. Having all confidence 
in this philanthropic compliance of a soldier, I commence in 
earnest and give the 

Bill of Fare 

Astor House, Newport News, Virginia 
Sunday, March 22d, 1863. Boyer Esq., Proprietor 

Stuffed, Roasted Turkey 

Fried Onions 

Mashed Potatoes 

Beef Steak 

Apple Dumplings with Brandy Sauce 

Stewed Apples 

Apple Butter 

Biscuits and Butter 

Stewed Tomatoes 

Stewed Onions 

Pork Steak 

Wines, not to be mentioned 

I suppose that this is not drawn up in a manner calculated 
to cause the envy of the original Astor House, and it might 
meet with some contem{)t, but it is not within my recollection 
that I have ever had the uncoveted pleasure of dining where 
it takes volumes to enumerate the uncountable, and in some 
cases, uneatable, dishes, which the board can not hold. 

After dinner was disposed of and the cigars lighted, I 

sketched a portrait of Frank of a Michigan Regiment, 

a friend of Frank Hughson's who was to leave the next day to 
join his Regiment. I got the general outline fairly well, but 
the expression was not as good and it disappointed me more 
than it did him. The fact is, I have hardly touched my pencil 

223 



THE LONG ROLL 

since I left Frederick City and am much out of practise. The 
Sutler went to Baltimore that night, and he promised to bring 
me some drawing paper and then I will commence again. 

A return game of Baseball, just now closed, was played 
by our first Nine and the Fifty -first. We won by eleven runs, 
the score standing Twenty -one and Ten. I did not see the 
game, but the score and those who did see it, will tell you that 
it was a better one than the first. 

Wednesday, March 25th. 
Last night I went up to have a game of Chess with Sergeant 
Loades according to agreement. But in this I was disappointed, 
for the men were packed deep down in the impenetrable recesses 
of a monster trunk. But I spent a very pleasant evening, 
for, finding we could not have an engagement on the checkered 
field, Loades proposed cards. Euchre was the first order, and 
with a good run of luck, a Lieutenant and myself gave Loades 
and the Adjutant a clean sweep. Then my old opponent. 
Lieutenant Ball, took the Adjutant's place, vowing all kinds 
of vengeance for my treatment of him the other night. But 
Euchre did not favor him any better than did Whist on the 
former occasion, so finally my partner suggested that we try 
Whist again. Our opponents won handsomely a couple of 
games, and we left Ball in a partially satisfied frame of mind. 
I got to bed about twelve o'clock, made Smithy turn over, 
and was down beside him and in a dreamless sleep. 

March 27th. 
Sergeant Loades is gone with his Regiment. He went yester- 
day and managed to come down in advance, so as to have time 
to take leave of his many friends in this Regiment, of whom I 
am proud to say I am one. I did all I could to show him my 
appreciation of that friendship as well as to keep the Regiment 
in his memory, presenting him with the last Carte-de-visite 
I had, and also with a jacket and fez. He bade me write and 
promised to do the same. The drum which we obey, said 
" Roll-Call " and we left him. This is what makes the life of 
224 



THE LONG ROLL 

a soldier so hard. You form acquaintances and they become 
friends; the order says "March," and you know you may 
never see them again. And those around you who should to 
a degree console you for the loss and make the parting less 
cruel with their sympathy, frequently are of those who, in 
civil life, you would shun, apparently with no feeling or desire, 
except of degradation or shame. Loades is a bright exception. 
He acts from |)urc!y patriotic motives, and does not even seem 
to see the blunders, the ignorance or the incapacity of the leaders 
of our army, but goes about the duties that he had taken upon 
himself, as if no mistakes were ever made, and he must see and 
feel them, too. Now this trait of his character would not be so 
remarkable, were it not that he is an Englishman, and how 
.seldom do we find an Englishman in our army who does not 
.share in his country's ridicule of our blundering attempts to 
put down an unjust rebellion. Loades has much before him 
yet, but he is too noble to complain. I hope that we may some- 
time meet again, but this I dare not expect, and so I will hope 
that he will see what he is going to see in a short time and be 
able to leave this service, physically and mentally as he is now. 
But I fear for him, for is it not true that the noblest and the 
best of our men are slain ? And who, then, will reap the reward 
of glory ? 




225 



CHAPTER XIX 

Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar A, Kimball 

April 2d. 

LAST night, at RoU-Call, Captain Leahy spoke to us about 
getting up a testimonial of our regard for Lieutenant- 
Colonel Kimball, in the shape of a medal. The officers 
propose to give three dollars each and we are expected to give 
only twenty-five cents. Some one offered fifty cents, but it 
was not allowed. Every one agreed to it. After Roll-Call, 
as Kimball was in my mind, I concluded to try to get his auto- 
graph under the picture of him I made in Frederick. He was 
not in, so I left the picture, with my name, with Doctor Harding. 
This morning he sent for me and I found that he was very much 
pleased with the picture and uncommonly nice to me, asking 
me to sit down and to have a cigar. He asked what he should 
write and I told him all I wanted was his name and title. He 
was very sorry that he did not know before that I "drew things" 
or he would have asked me to do a few for his friends. I gave 
him a fine drawing of a Castle in Spain, and he made me put 
my name on it and said he would get it framed. Then he asked 
me where I made the picture of him and I told him the sketch 
was made on the South Mountain field and it was finished at 
Frederick City. " Oh, so you were wounded.? " And I had to 
tell him the whole story, and of course Antietam came in for 
a share of the conversation. Colonel Kimball thinks Antietam 
ranks all the battles of the war. He read me a letter from Colo- 
nel Sturgis who says in reference to our boys in that battle, 
enough to show that he thinks we are big : " Whenever I see 
a member of your Regiment, dear Colonel, I feel as if compelled 
to raise my hat." " This, " remarked Kimball with pride, 
" is from one of our best Generals." After he asked me to draw 
his picture and one of his dog, I saluted and took my leave. 

Camp Hamilton, April 7th. 
Received marching orders at Newport News on the Second 
and we left there on the Third, reaching this camp about three 
226 



THE LONG ROLL 

o'clock, very much fatigued. I suffered considerably from 
my lii|) wound, and on the last three-mile stretch, it was about 
all I could do to kecf) up with the ranks. Camp Ilaniillon is 
pleasantly huated between tiie village of Hampton aid the 
old, time-battered fortress on the l*oint. Its clustering build- 
ings, storehouses, etc., and the many and variously-shaped 
maritime craft, some grinning with jaws full of teetli, others 
without the slightest barking apparatus, all make it look more 
like a second-rale city than a military depot. The village of 
Hampton gives a melancholy picture of the sad effects of war. 
It was burned by McG ruder a few days before the Hatteras 
expedition left the fort, but failed in its object of drawing the 
forewarned Jiutlcr out with his then small force, or cautious 
Phelj)S from his snug entrenchments we have just left. Not 
a house but that was ruined, and even the picturesque old 
church was not suffered to escape the firebrand. The ruins of 
the church still stand, forming an interesting scene, but oh, 
how sad ! 

Fort Nansemond, Suffolk, 
April 14th. 

On the Tenth of this month I was on guard at Camp Hamil- 
ton, dreaming of no other move before the final one for home, 
and on the e\ ening of the next day, we were in Suffolk, ^'irginia, 
in front of the foe again. We started from C amp Hamilton 
about eight o'clock in the evening, and before daybreak the 
next morning we were in Norfolk. Here a bit of news reached 
us that was not overly pleasant. A traiti of cars had run through 
a drawbridge on the Suffolk railroad, and instead of going to the 
front in cars, we were expected to foot it. The steamer left 
us on the wharf at Portsmouth, and as I was on guard then, 
I was at the rear during the march through the city. When 
we were about five miles on our way. Colonel Kimball, the 
good old man, rode clear back and got wagons to carry our 
knapsacks, and I can tell you it was a great relief. My old hip 
was beginning to bother me, and in what condition I would have 
reached Suffolk, if I had not been permitted to ride occasionally, 

2^27 



THE LONG ROLL 

I can not say. As it was, I was very nearly played out when we 
finally got to camp. 

And now a sad and melancholy duty awaits this pen of 
mine. I will write it boldly, however, or my hand might falter. 
Here is the note. " Sunday. April l'-2th. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Kimball was shot dead early this morning, by General Corcoran. 
It was a useless murder. I have just seen the body and could 
not control my feelings at all." There is hardly any comment 
needed to this horrible memorandum, but when I wrote ** use- 
less murder. 'T might have added" cold-blooded,"* and "brutal." 

Colonel Donohue. of the Tenth New Hampshire, was with 
him at the time of this sad occurrence, which deprived of life 
as brave a man as ever wore a sword, and one who had well 
earned the laurels waiting for him in New York. From Colonel 
Donohue we get the particulars concerning this terrible tragedy. 
The Colonel was walking with this friend, about two o'clock 
in the morning, near General Corcoran's headquarters, when a 
body of men on horseback came near enough for Colonel Kim- 
ball to challenge, with the intention, of course, of finding out 
who they were, as it was quite dark. They did not heed the 
challenge as promptly as was desired, and the Colonel again 
ordered them to halt and to give the countersign, asking the 
usual question, " Who goes there .^" "General Corcoran and 
staff," was tlie answer, with a question as to what was the right 
to challenge, and demandmg passage. At these words, which I 
presume were not couched in the most civU language possible. 
Colonel Kimball replied in a tone not less calm, that he *d be 
damned if they shouid pass without givmg the countersign, 
and he drew his sword, as officers do when receiving the magic 
word. At this. General Corcoran fired with so deadly an effect, 
that the brave old soldier had only time to utter, " Damn you, 
fire again ! " and then came his last breath. General Corcoran, 
whether possessed of cowardice or coohiess, I can not say, 
galloped off and directed an Aide to see " who the oiBcer was " 
he had shot. 

It is impossible to describe the feeling which this terrible 
event produced in our Regiment, when it became known, or 
228 



THE LONG ROLL 

rather, when it was hflicverl. It scemfd so imf>ossihle. The 
hoys raved ratlier than talked, and many would have gone 
through the whole legion for the hlood of the assassin. But I 
am proud to say, rfK>ler lilrKxl and discipline prevailed, for 
though strong men who had not shed a tear in many a wicked 
year, then cried like children, the more reasonable course was 
adopted, to let affairs take their own way, at least for the 
present. liut as for dropping it from our memory' — Ah! 
General Corcoran may find to his sorrow that it is imjKwsible. 
I could not kee{> my tears hack as I looked at the mutilated 
corpse of the old soldier, and thoughts came of the day long ago 
on the bleak banks of Hatteras, when I heard of the death of 
my Father. Colonel Kimball has been our leader ever since 
this .service has thrown us together, for though Hawkins was 
our Colonel, he has almost always had the charge of a Brigade, 
leaving the duties of the command with Kimball. From our 
first charge at Roanoke, Kimball has led us to the last at Fred- 
ericksburg, and he has always been in the thickest of the fight, 
laughing at danger, defying Death. Could he have died by 
the hand of the foe, as brave De Monteuil did in the arras of 
victory, even had he been killed on picket, anything, anj'where, 
but here, to be shot down like a dog, in the dead of night, with 
not one of his " brave boys," as he fondly called us, near to 
avenge the deed, the cowardly deed ! Oh, it was too hard ! 
I have said enough, perhaps too much, of this melancholy event, 
but one thing more. Though Colonel Hawkins was the maker 
of this Regiment, we all know that the " Hero of Tehuantef>€C " 
made our fame. I am done. Let the old Hero rest, and may 
the Ruler of Hosts put the mantle of braverj' around him. 



<i'i9 



CHAPTER XX 

Fort Nansemond 

ABOUT ten o'clock on the day of the tragedy, the Regiment 
was called upon and gotten under arms. Colonel Fair- 
childs of the Eighty -ninth was to escort us to our position 
in the entrenchments, but General Getty thought he had better 
lead us himself, for he knew we liked him for the simple reason 
that he liked us. As soon as he presented himself, the boys gave 
three cheers for him, and after that, three as bitter groans for 
Corcoran as were ever given by five hundred men. I heard 
that General Getty told Captain Bennett that we were perfectly 
justified. We were conducted to the front, and after waiting 
about an hour or so in a field the Generals concluded that the 
safest place to put us was Fort Nansemond, which is an impor- 
tant Post dividing General Getty's and General Terry's front, 
being the Northwestern angle of this chain of fortifications and 
breastworks, which extends eleven miles in an irregular circle. 
The more I see of this Fort, the more am I convinced of its 
invincibility, and with twenty thousand men, which it is said 
we now have, and with more coming every day, we can hold 
it against fifty thousand. It is a strong, diamond-shaped, earth 
Fort, mounting ten guns of different range and caliber, with a 
deep trench of water around it. Colonel Hawkins has command. 
General Keys ordered us here while both Dix and Hawkins were 
away, and yesterday he came up evidently to try to blarney the 
boys. To the Colonel and a crowd of the Hawks, " These boys 
will fight, won't they. Colonel.'' " 

But the Colonel does n't seem to like the General for up- 
setting all his plans in ordering us here while he was absent, 
and so he answered dryly, in his usual basso tone, " I don't 
know." 

" Well, they won't run away, will they ? " 

" I don't see where in Hell we could run to." And then 
the General found he had inspected the Fort sufficiently, and 
left, probably deciding that Fort Nansemond would be as well 
defended without his observations as with them. 
230 



THE LONG ROLL 

April 15th, 

On the afternoon of the Thirteenth, the enemy advanced 
on General Getty's front, drivinj^ in our pickets. The forts 
within range opened on them heavily and soon drove them 
back. Captain Morris of Company K had charge of our artil- 
lery, and with one discharge dismounted a field-piece, blowing 
uj) the casehorn and killing one or two horses. The engagement, 
if it can be so called, did not last more than a half hour, when 
the enemy retired. INIy oi)inion is they were tempting us to 
make a sortie, but our general did not see it. Captain jVIorris' 
exploit soon reached the CJenerars ear and he is now in command 
of a l)attery, his Company acting as artillery men. And he 
has already had employment suited to his taste. Last night, 
he was ordered out with some other troops against a battery 
which has been very annoying to our gunboats, sinking one of 
them, Morris opened on them with such success that they soon 
vacated the premises, and in time, too, for they had four of 
their pieces dismounted. In the action, our Company had one 
of its own pieces blown to atoms, but with wonderful luck, 
only one man was slightly wounded, and three horses killed. 
It may a{)pear that what I write is not true, or that it is at 
least stretched, but it is the talk of every one, and what every 
one says, must contain some truth. 

Saturday, April 18th. 
I am twenty years old to-day. I had hardly mailed a letter 
home, when two detachments of infantry from the Ninety-ninth 
and the Thirteenth New York crossed the Nansemond in front 
of Fort Rosecrans, and advanced against the enemy's rifle-pits 
and pickets. I was on guard on the parapet of our Fort, and 
had u good view of the spirited skirmish that commenced as 
soon as our boys showed themselves above the bank. 
They behaved admirably in their inferior position and ad- 
vanced firing at the foe concealed in brush and pits, afi'ording 
at the same time ])lain masks for the enemy, in their own 
upright position. They drove the Rebels into the edge of the 
woods above, but Ihcv then received a severe fire from the 

2.'n 



THE LONG ROLL 

picket reserve, and were finally compelled to retreat. This 
they did in good order, every man firing in retreat, as if on drill. 
The ground was an even plain, affording no shelter for us, while 
the Rebels in the edge of the woods could get behind trees and 
fire without any great danger to themselves. We accomplished 
nothing that I could see, only I suppose an advanced position 
for our pickets. Colonel Hawkins, who was watching the fight 
through a field glass, said there were only three or four killed 
on our side, but he could not judge the enemy's losses. Two 
of our men who were anxious to see the fight from a closer 
position went down to a breastwork to our right, but it proved 
to be too near, for they each got a bullet for their trouble. 

Sunday, April 19th. 
We are now sustaining, what in war parlance is termed a 
siege. Night before last, the Rebels on the front, or rather on 
our left front, for we have to attend to both, threw up a string 
of rifle-pits nearer than they have ever ventured before, near 
enough to be just within reach of our fort, and they have crowed 
considerably over the matter, and to some purpose, too. Yes- 
terday, while I was sitting under the breastwork, reading, a 
ball came sailing along, passing between Bell and Berryman 
and struck Hugh McClocky, a private in our Company, giving 
him a severe wound in the leg. He had hardly been carried 
out of sight, when another came from the same direction and 
struck a man in Company B who was carrying a wheelbarrow 
of earth for the stockade in the Fort. Here were two of our 
men wounded within five minutes. About an hour after these 
two incidents, though I suppose they would be " accidents " 
in civil life, I was looking over the parapet with a crowd of boys, 
when a rifle ball struck and buried itself in the parapet about 
three inches from Bell's face. This is the second narrow escape 
he has had. Colonel Hawkins received orders to shell the saucy 
mud-diggers last night, and he tried to unearth them this 
morning, but instead of complying with our hints to skedaddle, 
one of them drew a bead on our Colonel, while he was watching 
the effects of his shots. He did not take the least notice of it, 
232 



THE LONG ROLL 

liowever, but continued to let them have what was coming to 
them, and when the job was done and he got down from his 
conspicuous place, I, for one, was very much relieved. 

April 20th, 
Last night, General Getty executed a nice bit of strategy 
at the expense of our friends outside, and as Captain Morris 
and his Company were concerned in it, I have more pleasure 
in relating all I know about it. 

Night before last, under cover of darkness, Getty planted 
Morris' battery opposite a Fort on the other side of the river 
and masked it. Last night, when everything was ready, the 
gunboats and Morris opened a cross fire on the Rebel battery, 
whicii was taken by surprise, evidently not thinking they had 
anything on terra firma to fear. They replied to us very 
promptly, however, and while the bombardment was going 
on, two of the gunboats made a pontoon, on which two detach- 
ments of infantry crossed, one from the Eighty-ninth, our old 
comrades-in-arms, and the other from the Eighth, forming the 
storming party. Under cover of the noise of the cannonade, 
these veterans marched to the rear of the Fort and surprised 
it by first throwing in a volley of musketry, and then advancing 
*' l)oul)le-(iuick " with fixed bayonets. The moment the volley 
was fired, a signal was thrown out to the gunboats and our 
battery to cease firing. And it is believed that not a man 
escajjed. One hundred fifty men, eleven commissioned officers, 
and six field-pieces were the fruit of this nice little bit of work. 
The lioys say that the gunners were so occupied with their 
firing, that some of them did not hear the musketry in the rear, 
and actually were ordered to cease their fire by our own officers. 
KverA-thing was gotten over to this side safely but one gun, 
iind that was so badly damaged that it would not pay to bring 
it. Of course. Captain Morris gets his share of the credit, and 
it is already whispered that he is to be made Captain of a battery 
in the regular army. 

Meanwhile, Colonel Hawkins makes the chmate for our 
friends in the pits quite warm. Our Artillerv Lieutenant, who 

233 



THE LONG ROLL 

was put here at our Colonel's request, when Morris went away, 
has made some beautiful shots this morning. A ten-pound shell 
of ours exploded right over one of their pits, for they are now 
quite close, much to our satisfaction. The way missiles have 
been flying around this morning, though, makes one slightly 
nervous, if nothing more. Once while walking leisurely in an 
open space outside the Post, not dreaming of harm, I was 
saluted with the sharp pin-g-g-n-n of one of the " tarnal " things, 
as it passed over my head and, coolly enough, dropped on the 
other side. 

April 24th. 

We have just been called under arms and sent down to a 
Post where the guns were booming away like real fun, and of 
course, we expected nothing less than to see the enemy's column 
marching on to slaughter, but the fury died away, and even the 
little dogs on picket, two small pieces of flying artillery, have 
ceased barking. 

Last night I was sound asleep in my shelter tent, when all 
at once old Flemming had me by the leg. " Who is this? Get 
up and fall in. Quick !" And I did under the impression that 
the enemy was trying a midnight sortie. But instead of facing 
the enemy, we turned our backs to them and marched to camp 
and were there told to hold ourselves in readiness to march at 
a moment's notice. And to back up this suspicious order, our 
cooks were up around their fires, cooking rations for three days. 
All this smelled like an expedition. As soon as we got to quar- 
ters, however, the Say told us we could go to sleep if we wished. 
And we did sleep till morning, and staid in quarters till to-day, 
when we were again called out. What effect this has I do not 
know, but the general impression is that it is a fizzle. 

About noon, yesterday, I had the pleasure of hearing a 
bullet sing over my head and strike a few paces back of me. It 
came so slowly, however, that if I had gotten hit, it would not 
have caused much damage, though just at this time it would 
be extremely inconvenient to carry either the weight or the 
effect of it. 
234 



THE LONG ROLL 

Sunday Morning, April 26th. 
Colonel Hawkins was serenaded last night in fine style, 
by the l)and of the One Hundred Third Regiment, formerly 
under Hawkins' command. The gallant Colonel of the Regi- 
ment, Benjamin Ringold, accompanied the band to pay his 
respects to Colonel Hawkins in person. It was a beautiful 
night and well fitted to the sweet strains of music borne on its 
silent wings. Not a cloud dimmed the brightness of the vault 
al)ove us, lighted by Luna in iialf her splendor. Not a breath 
seemed to care to disturb the sleep of Nature, covered with 
her sparkling mantle of silvery light. Colonel Ringold and 
his Regiment have endeared themselves to us lately by offering 
their assistance in case of a row with "Michael's Legion," and 
as soon as our boys in camp heard the band they knew what 
was up. I was on guard on the ramparts. The boys were out 
en masse, and when an opportunity offered, gave three rousing 
cheers for Colonel Ringold, three for the band and three for 
the Regiment. Colonel Ringold spoke a few words in his 
broken English, much of whicii I could not hear, but he men- 
tioned the " One Hundred and Three Times," which is the 
nickname we have helped to give the Regiment. I hear that 
he offered the band to escort us home and wound up by sug- 
gesting three cheers for " our dear Colonel Hawkins." Of 
course they were given and three more for himself, and then 
the band struck up " The Star Spangled Banner " and the 
party was over. 

May 1st. 
On the Twenty-seventh, a party of one hundred fifty of 
our Regiment were detailed to go outside the Fort to burn 
brush antl stuff tiiat obstructed infantry range. We went and 
a lively time we had of it, too. There were soon as many fires 
as men and a gentle wind helped to spread through the loose 
leaves and other combustil)les, and we had a grand spectacle 
of a prairie fire. In our incendiary expedition, some of us got 
a littk* nearer to the enemy's pits than they thought proper, 
and the first thing we knew, " Whiz-z-z-ph" went a bullet 

235 



THE LONG ROLL 

alongside of a fellow of Company D. And I thought it was 
just time to go somewhere else in another direction, and when 
another little snorter came singing the same savage song right 
over my head, my opinion became conclusive. It was not 
healthy out there, and there were enough fires made anyway, 
and the officers thought so too, for we were ordered in shortly 
after. 

On the Twenty-eighth, nothmg of any moment took place, 
though the Rebel Sharpshooters took a lively interest in the 
welfare of our Fort and sent several musket balls into us — I 
mean, the Fort. I had the gratification of getting a letter from 
my old chum and best friend. Charles A. Zimmerman. He is 
m the Sixth IVIinnesota Volunteers, and has been fighting Indi- 
ans. He sent me some sketches and I returned him one of 
our skirmish scenes, of which we are daily witnesses. 

Yesterday we were mustered in for two months' pay and 
we received a proposition from General Dix in the shape of a 
printed circular requestmg us to stay in the service some eight 
or ten days after our time expires, or in point of fact, as long as 
the enemy is in front of us. This we read and voted upon. 
We all thought General Dix was a very nice man. but we could 
not see it his way, and voted unanimously accordingly. Colonel 
Hawkins answered the eloquent circular in a well-worded letter 
which I will not attempt to give here, for I want to get a copy 
of it. General Dix telegraphed us this morning, and as nearly 
as I can find out, he is astonished at our want of patriotism, 
and asks us if we will stay imtil the Twelfth. Our Colonel 
took this as an insult, and told him so, and now this poUtical 
Major-General, out of pure spite, intends to keep our men 
who joined three months after the Fourth of May. 18G1, but 
who have seen just as much service as we have, till the actual 
time of their service expires. Colonel Hawkins has gone down 
to have an understanding with Peck, the General commanding 
this Fort. 

Colonel Hawkins did have an understanding and we now 
have the order for four hundred fifty men to start from here 
to-morrow. We were relieved from duty at Fort Nansemond, 

236 



THE LONG ROLL 

which General Dix calls the *' Post of Honor," yesterday about 
noon, by the Sixth Massachusetts, and 1 tell you we were not 
lonj^ in evaeuatinj? the premises. I went to the Fort after my 
shelter tent, and there I hope the last bullet that has threatened 
to knock me over was fired from the enemy's rifle-pits. I tell 
you it made me go down low. 

Yesterday afternoon, a spirited onslaught was made, feeling 
the enemy's strength, in front of Fort Rosecrans, by the Ninety- 
ninth, very similar to that of the Seventeenth, only more 
destructive to the lives of both sides. I saw only the closing scene. 
The Ninely-ninth crossed the river with the opening of the ball, 
sinuiltaneously from four Forts, and advanced in Hne of skir- 
mishers and made a magnificent dash at the rifle-pits in the 
face of as deadly a fire as can be given from pits with a steady 
aim. At this moment General Terry saw a brigade coming 
at a " I)oul)le-(iuick " to re-enforce the pickets, and ordered 
the " Retreat " to be sounded, and had the artillery con- 
centrated ui)on the re-enforcements, which was seen to tear 
large gaps in their ranks. The brave Ninety-ninth, already 
having lost one-fourth of their force by the deadly fire, did not, 
or rather would not, understand the signal to retreat, and 
advanced until they seemed nearly in the first line of pits, before 
they saw that the Rebels had been re-enforced so heavily as 
to render any further advance madness. They were ordered 
to get back the best they could, as it would be needless danger 
to go in a body. This part of the fight, I saw. The retreat 
connnenced and the enemy attempted a pursuit, but oh, you 
ought to have heard our guns! The Ninety-ninth had their 
colors shot down three times, and the brave fellow who took 
them off the field was wounded so badly that he could only 
drag the beautiful emblem behind him. General Terry has 
found out that there is someone behind those woods out yonder, 
at the expense of nine lives and enough cruelly wounded to 
swell the list to fifty. He estimates the enemy's loss at thirty 
killed, which can be believed, for every one who witnessed the 
aliair from the begimiing says our gunning was splendid and 
caused awful havoc in the ranks. Of course, we were compelled 

237 



THE LONG ROLL 

to IcAve a gtxxi many wo\indod on the ticUi. and at night many 
went out after them. The ReMs wanted to tire at first, but 
they were prevented by the ofhoers. who did not object to our 
taking away our own wounded. C'hie of our Regiment. Bob 
Lee, went with a Sergeant of the Ninety -ninth, and disco vere^l 
an enemy who was trying to decoy them on by uttering groans 
a* if woimded. but he wa^ by some means o\er}vtwerod Wfore 
he had time to fire. 0\ir lx\vs did not want to fight and told 
him so, and the Reb, who Ix-'longcti to the Ninth Gc\>rgian, 
tohi them they would find some woinided farther down. Old 
Bob said to him, " You are a damned fine fellow, give me your 
paw." And they shook hands. The man wa^ attracteii by 
the fez and asked Bob if he belonged to the Hawkins Zouaves 
and being answered in the affirmative remarked. " I wish my 
time was a* ne^^r out a* yours." 

I am afraid, after all, that the Newport News recruits will 
be detained. The description lists are being made out now 
and rations cooked for four hundred fifty men. \A'e start 
to-morrow for Fortress Monroe. 

I have just been over to the camp of the Ninety -ninth with 
Smith, to have a chat with some of the lx)ys. Talk about sleep- 
ing on the battlefield ! These men have to eat and sleep and 
live on the field. I was theix^ only about a half an hour, and 
in that time I am sure I could have counted fifty balls coming 
over us or bounding along the grovmd. Their tents are com- 
pletely riddled, and e\-ery time a man shows himself he is sure 
to be saluted by a little infernal machine. In leaving the rear 
of a cook house to go back, we had to go across an open space 
only ten feet, and we were fired at. Fort Rosecrans shells the 
enemy almost continually, and as sure as they open a gun, 
the whole line of Rebel rifle-pits starts in. It puts me in mind 
of intruding upon a hornets" nest. 

In this way. inclusive of the two scraps I have mentioned, 
the Ninety -ninth has had about a hmidreti men killed and 
wounded, without getting any satisfaction. This is soldiering — 
or if not. what is it ? Just as we were leii\"ing, the Si\d intel- 
Kgence reached the group where we were talking, that one of the 
£3S 



poor frIlowH wlici wns wit\iu<U'>\ yr^lrrrhiy wjm flr>ul. Tfir visit 
lo liiis (-amp (lid not ti\ nil nuikc iiic rc^n^t tliaf I am >o ^o home 
Ml llic rnorriinj^, if (iod spnrcH irip, 

I went up fo lioir wlwif ('f»lori<l IInwkin«« hnfl t^) sny t/> iii, 
(Ml this our l)i'<t nij^lif. He wjih in fi ()C(ulifir Jirid pfiiriful p(»«!iHr»ri, 
f(tr Imh Kc^jiiijciit wji.H divided info Hirce (•hi«?'»*-«? : ()rie (»ri the 
eve of ^^'»iiiK home; Jiriofhcr, hnvirij/ lived with thnt expeetntirm 
and ((Illy lately awakened to the dii!af»jK»intrneTit, hf»w fiittCT 
w( can well ima^cine; and the third, only liavirij? servefl sfvpn 
inonth.H, not so much pitied, for they difl not. exf)ect afurlouf^h 
even and could not f>c disapf>ointed. Now \\>f. Colonel wanted 
Uy [laeify Morne of us, htit we were nil together, anrl he knows 
us HO well and rares so much for us, and he hardly knew what 
to say. Ife t(»Id us what he ha/| done, showing his eorrespond- 
erice, and after that he addressed us feelingly, showing f>lainly 
his love, liis sorrow anri his regret. We cheererl him, hut the 
cold water of disaf»{>oiritment, or rather the kn(^>wledge that 
Htnnt: were the victims r>f mali^-e and spite, darnf>e,ned even the 
enthu.siiism of the more fortunate. Ife promiserl, when he got 
to New V'ork, to do all in his jK>wer t/> get the recniits home 
soon and in a fKxly, and in conclusion, t/)ld the old Regiment 
that, in whatever circumstances we might f<f; in after life, we 
would always find a friend in (>>lonel Hawkins. The la^st words 
were l(X} much for hirn and he went hack into his tent to hide 
his emotion, f'heers were given, not cold ones either, hut more 
than that, our tears were not suppressed. 

We were awakened on the morning of the Third at daybreak, 
by a volley of musketry ringing in the clear morning air, and hai"! 
not we given up our arms, I would have anticipated a partici- 
pation in a fight. fJiit the alarming sounds died away and we 
were given orders tr> " strike tent.s " and for the laxt time. 
And then came the sari parting with our companions, whom 
despotic spite wa.s detaining. It was very hard t/) part with 
Smith. How nobly he had done his duty at the pf>st cuf honor 
on the Color fiuard, need not F)e told. We were at)<)ard the 
cars at nine o'clor.k and soon the engine shrieked out the " ail 
aboard " and with a few spa.smodic starts and puffs, we were 

^9 



THE LONG ROLL 

rattling oflf, leaving danger behind, and starting for home. 
Down below the station, we discovered the One Hundred Third 
and the Ninety-ninth, with their arms and colors, to give us 
their farewell cheers. The brave Colonel Ringold was at the 
head of his Regiment on horseback, his hat on the ground, 
his horse plunging in affright at the voices in chorus, the steam 
whistles and the enthusiastic cheers of the men. Little could 
we then think that, a few hours afterward, many of these men 
and the fine old Commander would cease to live. 

In an hour we were at Norfolk and the Steamer "Kennebec" 
was waiting for us. We heard there was heavy fighting in 
progress at Suffolk and that the One Hundred Third was badly 
cut up in the work of clearing some rifle-pits, but that was all : 
we did not know the worst. I took advantage of our liberty 
at Norfolk to see the city and to get a good dinner. We left 
at four that afternoon and passed Fortress Monroe an hour 
afterward. We were favored with the most beautiful weather 
during the passage, and anchored off Sandy Hook night before 
last. We put in at Pier Number One, North River, and got our 
arms and started up Broadway. We were escorted by the 
Twelfth Militia, and the Fire Department turned out, but the 
rain broke up some of the arrangements. Such crowding, such 
jamming, such shouting, such drowning noise, and it hardly 
could have been greater if the weather had been clear. W^e 
waded up the great thoroughfare in mud and amid the sea of 
human beings, some anxious for friends, some only impelled 
by the curiosity to see the Regiment which has always been 
a pet of the New York people. We went up Union Square 
and down the Bowery to Bond Street, turned into Broadway 
again, and then put for the Sixty-ninth Arsenal, where we were 
dismissed. It was here that Colonel Hawkins told us that 
Colonel Ringold had been killed, and asked us to turn out for 
the funeral. 

I found the Bowery and took the cars to the ferry, crossed 
to Hoboken and was on my way again through the rain. I 
walked in a hurry, too, got in undiscovered and — was home. 

240 



THE LONG ROLL 

Wednesday, May 12th. 
Our Regiment escorted the body of Colonel Ringold to 
its last resting place in Greenwood. 

Saturday, May Slst. 

I was mustered out of the United States service Thursday, 
was paid yesterday, and now my soldiering is done. 

Yes, at last, after two years of wandering, hardship, suffering 
and danger, I am free to act at my will, move as I will and speak 
what I will. My contract is fulfilled and no longer can any one 
say " Go ! " or " Do ! " nor is my time or my life at any one's 
disposal. No more Roll-Calls, no Inspections, no somber-faced 
Brigadiers to haunt my vision day and night. No Reveille 
of the enemy's musketry nor of our own Drum Corps. I can 
fight my own battles till my work is done. This is a comfort, 
but the tinge of sadness mingles with the joy. Where are they 
who should be at the feast with us ? Still in front of the foe. 
Where are they who bought our glory, and worthless does it 
seem, with their lives ? Silent in their graves. And their 
friends, with no rejoicing in their hearts, as in proud array 
we marched up the streets of yesterday, could only weep most 
bitter tears. 

Great God : Is not our measure of bitterness quite filled? 
How many more must mourn for their loved ones ? How many 
souls must depart in agony on the unnatural death-bed of the 
crimson battlefields ? Thy people cry aloud to Thee for deliver- 
ance, and O God, grant it before we are destroyed. Thy way 
is best; then, in Thy mercy, help us to bide Thy time! 




241 



so HERE. THEN, ENDETH "THE LONG ROLL," BEING A 
JOURNAL OF THE CIVIL WAR AS SET DOWN BY CHARLES F. 
JOHNSON, SOMETIME OF HAWKINS ZOUAVES, AND MADE INTO 
A BOOK BY THE ROYCROFTERS, AT THEIR SHOP. WHICH IS 
IN EAST AURORA, ERIE COUNTY, NEW YORK STATE, MCMXI 



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